Cetearyl Alcohol & Ceteareth 20

What is Cetearyl Alcohol & Ceteareth 20?

A common emulsifying wax system combining cetearyl alcohol (a fatty alcohol) with ceteareth-20 (a polyethylene glycol ether) to create stable oil-in-water emulsions.

Why is it used in products?

It's one of the most widely used emulsifier systems in cosmetics because it creates stable, elegant creams and lotions with minimal formulation effort.

Why does it clog pores?

This emulsifying system leaves a waxy residue on the skin that can block pore openings. The cetearyl alcohol component forms an occlusive film, while the ceteareth-20 helps deposit this film uniformly across the skin surface. Together they create a smooth but pore-sealing layer, especially problematic in heavy creams.

Commonly found in

• moisturizers
• lotions
• conditioners
• body creams