Common Name(s): Ceteth-2,peg-2 cetyl ether,peg-2 hexadecyl ether

CAS Number: 9004-95-9

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Helps oil and water blend in creams and leaves a soft, smooth feel on skin.

Why It's Used: Low-hlb (~5) emulsifier used in w/o and oil-rich o/w formulas; the c16 chain and 2 eo units provide conditioning emolliency.

How It Works: 2 eo units give hlb ~5; cetyl c16 chain; pairs with high-hlb emulsifiers to form stable emulsions; contributes emolliency.

Typically Found In: Rich creams,w/o emulsions,body butters,skin conditioning bases

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: Cetyl alcohol from coconut/palm; 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: Well tolerated.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

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

Works Well With: Fatty alcohols,emollients,high-hlb emulsifiers,waxes

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Low-eo cetyl ethers (1–3 eo) have hlb in the 4–6 range, appropriate for w/o emulsification or o/w co-emulsification; cas 9004-95-9 covers the polydisperse ethoxylate mixture.

Last Verified: 2026-03-27

Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary,cir safety assessment ethoxylated alcohols