Cetyl Betaine
AKA “Palmityldimethylbetaine, 1-Hexadecanaminium, N-(carboxymethyl)-N, N-dimethyl-, inner salt, (Carboxylatomethyl)hexadecyldimethylammonium, EINECS 211-748-4, BRN 3676787, AMPHOSOL CDB, MACKAM CET, E945X08YA9, hydroxide”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Cetyl betaine
AKA: Palmityldimethylbetaine, 1-Hexadecanaminium, N-(carboxymethyl)-N, N-dimethyl-, Inner salt, (Carboxylatomethyl)hexadecyldimethylammonium, EINECS 211-748-4, BRN 3676787, AMPHOSOL CDB, MACKAM CET, E945X08YA9, Hydroxide
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Cleanser
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Amino Acid
Plant Oil
Clean
(Carboxylatomethyl)hexadecyldimethylammonium
Effective at 4.35%
Formula
C20H41NO2
Mol. Weight
327.50
CAS #
693-33-4
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Antistatic
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Foam Boosting
Viscosity Controlling
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic amphoteric surfactant created in the mid-20th century as part of the development of gentler cleansing agents. Designed to replace harsher soap-based ingredients in shampoos and body washes.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.0001%
8.7%
0%12%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.0001-8.7 | 0.36-7.4
Regulatory Agencies
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Ammonia and Ammonium Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Alumina and Aluminum Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Inorganic Hydroxides as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Ammonium Hydroxide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Calcium Hydroxide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Cetyl Betaine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Iron Hydroxide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Magnesium Hydroxide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Potassium Hydroxide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Zinc Ascorbate Hydroxide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Aluminum Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Ammonium Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Calcium Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Cetyl Betaine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Iron Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Magnesium Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Potassium Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Sodium Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Properties and applications of calcium hydroxide in endodontics and dental traumatology.
Mohammadi Z, Dummer PM
International endodontic journal, 2011
Impact of Dietary Zinc Chloride Hydroxide and Zinc Methionine on the Faecal Microbiota of Healthy Adult Horses and Ponies.
Paßlack N, van Bömmel-Wegmann S, Vahjen W, Zentek J
Journal of equine veterinary science, 2022
Development of magnesium hydroxide-doped nanofibrous spheres for repairing infected skin wounds.
You Y, Ning X, Zhang X, Wang Y, Zhang Y et al.
Biomaterials advances, 2024
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR