Steareth-20
AKA “Stearyl Polyethylene Glycol Ether, PEG Stearate”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Steareth-20
AKA: Stearyl Polyethylene Glycol Ether, PEG Stearate
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 2
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Clean
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-octadecyl-.omega.-hydroxy
Effective at 11.51%
CAS #
9005-00-9
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.
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
One of the most commonly used polyethylene glycol ethers of stearyl alcohol, developed as a nonionic emulsifier for creams, lotions, and cleansing products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Concentration Guide
0.02%
23.0%
0%32%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 18-23 | 0.02-0.4 | 0.2-1
Regulatory Agencies
Re-review Summary of PEG Stearates as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
HEA/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isosteareth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Steareth-200
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isosteareth-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Steareth-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Re-Review Summary of PEG Stearates as Used in Cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Re-Review Summary of PEG Stearates as Used in Cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Re-Review Summary of PEG Stearates as Used in Cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR