Ceteth-2
AKA “9004-95-9, Cetocire, CETOMACROGOL, Romopal O, Collone AC, Lubrol W, Nikkol BC, Ethosperse CL20, Lipocol C2, Ceteth 2”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Ceteth-2
AKA: 9004-95-9, Cetocire, CETOMACROGOL, Romopal O, Collone AC, Lubrol W, Nikkol BC, Ethosperse CL20, Lipocol C2, Ceteth 2
Surfactant · Emulsifying · EWG: 2
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Clean
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hexadecyl-.omega.-hydroxy- (2 mol EO average molar ratio)
Effective at 10.5%
Formula
C56H114O21
Mol. Weight
1123.50
CAS #
9004-95-9
Form
Liquid
State
White solid; mp = 32-34 deg C; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
See origin →
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Surfactant Emulsifying
Strengthens Barrier
Mixes oil and water
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a polyethylene glycol ether of cetyl alcohol. Created to replace traditional animal-derived emulsifiers and surfactants in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-2
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.0002%
21.0%
0%29%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.0002-21 | 0.0002-8 | 0.2-3 | 0.2-4
Regulatory Agencies
Acrylates/Ceteth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ceteth-2
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ceteth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ceteth-23
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ceteth-24
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ceteth-25
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isoceteth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isoceteth-25
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PPG-1-Ceteth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PPG-2-Ceteth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PPG-4-Ceteth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PPG-8-Ceteth-2
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ceteth-2
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Ceteth-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isoceteth-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isoceteth-25
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
PPG-4-Ceteth-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Microemulsions formed by PPG-5-CETETH-20 at low concentrations for transdermal delivery of nifedipine: Structural and in vitro study.
Souza de Araujo GR, Mendonça da Cruz Macieira G, Xavier de Oliveira D, Santos Matos S, Nery Dos Santos Q et al.
Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2022
Microemulsions formed by PPG-5-CETETH-20 at low concentrations for transdermal delivery of nifedipine: Structural and in vitro study.
Souza de Araujo GR, Mendonça da Cruz Macieira G, Xavier de Oliveira D, Santos Matos S, Nery Dos Santos Q et al.
Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2022
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR