Helps blend oil and water-based ingredients together so the formula spreads smoothly and feels silky on skin.
CAS #
61791-26-2
See origin →
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
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.
Emulsifier
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A synthetic surfactant derived from beef tallow (historically used in soap-making) and combined with PEG in the mid-20th century. Created to produce a cationic conditioning agent for cosmetics.