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Steareth-30
AKA “Stearyl Polyethylene Glycol Ether, PEG Stearate”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Steareth-30
AKA: Stearyl Polyethylene Glycol Ether, PEG Stearate
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Plant Oil
Not 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.
Gel Forming
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Removes Impurities
Cleansing Surfactant
Removes dirt and impurities
Lifts away dirt and oil
Creates gel consistency
Traditional Use
Synthetic nonionic emulsifier developed in the mid-20th century by ethoxylating stearic acid. Widely adopted in cosmetics manufacturing as a stable, predictable alternative to plant-based emulsifiers.
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
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Re-review Summary of PEG Stearates as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate/Steareth-30 Methacrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Acrylates/Steareth-30 Methacrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Steareth-30
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
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