Steareth-1
AKA “Stearyl Polyethylene Glycol Ether
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Steareth-1
AKA: Stearyl Polyethylene Glycol Ether
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Not Clean
Steareth-1 is the polyethylene glycol ether of Stearyl Alcohol
Effective at 11.51%
CAS #
-
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Surfactant Cleansing
Surfactant Emulsifying
Traditional Use
A modern polyethylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol created in the 20th century as an emulsifier and surfactant to improve the texture and stability of cosmetic formulations.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.02%
23.0%
0%32%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 18-23 | 0.02-0.4 | 0.2-1
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
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
Isosteareth-10
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isosteareth-12
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isosteareth-15
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isosteareth-16
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-1
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-10
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-10 Allyl Ether/Acrylates Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-100
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-100/PEG-136/HDI Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-11
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-12
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-13
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-14
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-15
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-16
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isosteareth-10
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Steareth-10
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Steareth-10 Allyl Ether/Acrylates Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Steareth-100
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Steareth-100/PEG-136/HDI Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR