Emulsifying Wax N.F.
AKA “Polysorbate 60, Stearyl Alcohol
Wax
Ingredient Facts
Emulsifying wax n.f.
AKA: Polysorbate 60, Stearyl Alcohol
Wax · Emollient · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Plant Oil
Wax
Not Clean
Emulsifying Wax N.F. is a cosmetic ingredient. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Form
Wax
See origin →
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Viscosity Controlling
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic emulsifier blend developed in the 20th century to stabilize oil-water mixtures in cosmetics. Replaces historical plant-based emulsifiers like beeswax and created to provide more consistent and reliable emulsification in modern formulations.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Mild Irritant
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
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Allergic contact dermatitis caused by wet wipes containing steareth-10: Is stearyl alcohol to blame?
Aerts O, Naessens T, Dandelooy J, Leysen J, Lambert J et al.
Contact dermatitis, 2017
Incidence of human skin sensitization to isostearyl alcohol in two separate groups of panelists.
Aust LB, Maibach HI
Contact dermatitis, 1980
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Behenyl Alcohol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, and Octyl Dodecanol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Isostearyl Alcohol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polysorbate 60
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isostearyl Alcohol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polysorbate 60
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Stearyl Alcohol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Investigating the influence of excipient batch variation on the structure, consistency and physical stability of polysorbate 60-based topical vehicles
Vu Dang H, Tran Huu H, Nguyen HMT
International journal of cosmetic science, 2021
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR