Common Name(s): Ether carboxylate,very mild anionic surfactant,dual mildness mechanism

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides very mild ether carboxylate anionic cleansing.

Why It's Used: Ultra-mild ether carboxylate — eo spacer reduces protein contact while carboxylate partial protonation at skin ph 5-6 reduces anionic character, providing dual mildness from two independent mechanisms in one surfactant molecule.

How It Works: Fatty alcohol + ethylene oxide + carboxymethylation → sodium salt. dual mild: eo spacer + carboxylate pka ~4.5 (partial protonation at skin ph). baby safe. low zein. ph responsive. cosmos conditional.

Typically Found In: Baby cleansers,sensitive skin

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 3%–20%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required

Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Ether carboxylate dual mildness mechanism: (1) eo spacer physically separates carboxylate head from lipophilic tail reducing simultaneous head-tail protein interaction; (2) carboxylate pka 4-4.5 means at skin ph 5-6, significant proportion protonated to neutral cooh — non-ionic, non-irritating. both mechanisms independently reduce irritation; combined they provide the lowest irritation of common anionic surfactants.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,ether carboxylate dual mildness review