Common Name(s): Beheneth-5,peg-5 behenyl ether,peg-5 docosanol ether

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Helps oil and water mix in formulas and provides a smooth, conditioning skin feel.

Why It's Used: Selected for intermediate hlb (~8) emulsification suitable for both o/w and w/o systems depending on co-emulsifier ratio.

How It Works: 5 eo units give hlb ~8; c22 behenyl chain provides higher solid melting character than c16/c18 alcohols; suitable as primary o/w emulsifier at moderate hlb or co-emulsifier in w/o.

Typically Found In: O/w emulsions,w/o emulsions,rich creams,body lotions,conditioning formulas

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emulsifier

Secondary Functions: Emollient,skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required

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

Source Notes: Behenyl alcohol from rapeseed/synthetic; eo from petrochemical. [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: 1/5 – low

Sensitivity Concerns: Generally well tolerated.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: High-hlb emulsifiers,natural oils,fatty alcohols,humectants

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Beheneth-5 bridges the hlb gap between very low eo (beheneth-2, hlb~4) and moderate eo (beheneth-10, hlb~12) variants; c22 chain provides superior wax-like thickening versus c16/c18 ethoxylates at same eo count.

Last Verified: 2026-03-27

Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary,supplier technical sheets