Oleth-4
AKA “12-Tetraoxatriacont-21-en-1-ol, RefChem:272220, DTXCID70652914, ZNVICELHBCNKIF-UHFFFAOYSA-N”
Synthetic
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Ingredient Facts
Oleth-4
AKA: 12-Tetraoxatriacont-21-en-1-ol, RefChem:272220, DTXCID70652914, ZNVICELHBCNKIF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Synthetic · Surfactant - Emulsifying | Surfactant - Cleansing · EWG: 3
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Synthetic
Not Clean
A gentle emulsifier that blends oil and water ingredients together, helping create smooth, lightweight formulas that feel silky on skin.
Formula
C26H52O5
Mol. Weight
444.70
CAS #
9004-98-2
Form
Liquid
Plant-Derived
Synthetic. Derived from oleyl alcohol and ethylene oxide, both petroleum-based synthetic compounds. Synthesized through ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide molecules are chemically bonded to oleyl alcohol.
Function
Surfactant - Emulsifying | Surfactant - Cleansing
Benefits
Emulsifier
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Synthetic surfactant and emulsifier developed in the mid-20th century by ethoxylating oleyl alcohol. These polyethylene glycol derivatives were created to provide stable emulsification and solubilization properties in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Target
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy Safe
Yes
EWG Score3
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval, all-shades-safe, Not a Sensitizer
Concentration Guide
Industry reports use up to 18.0% across all product types. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 581).
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR