Ceteareth-20.
Also known as: ceteareth-20, ceteth-20, steareth-20, PEG-20 cetyl/stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene cetyl/stearyl ether
An ethoxylated fatty alcohol used as an emulsifier and surfactant in creams, lotions, and other cosmetic formulations. Like all ethoxylated compounds, ceteareth-20 may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (a probable carcinogen) and ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) from the manufacturing process.
By the numbers.
1 = low concern, 10 = avoid.
Risk by usage.
How risk shifts depending on how often you use products with Ceteareth-20.
Low risk from incidental exposure in a single product.
Daily use of products with ethoxylated emulsifiers contributes to cumulative carcinogen contaminant exposure.
Moderate concern. Multiple ethoxylated products compound trace carcinogen exposure over time.
What the research says.
May contain 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing contaminant, a probable human carcinogen.
EPA — 1,4-dioxane classified as likely carcinogenic to humans
May contain ethylene oxide residues, a known human carcinogen (IARC Group 1).
IARC Monographs — Ethylene oxide
Functions as a penetration enhancer, increasing absorption of other formulation ingredients through the skin.
Global status.
How ceteareth-20 is regulated in cosmetics around the world.
The reason brands include it.
Effective oil-in-water emulsifier that creates stable, creamy formulations. Helps blend oil and water phases and improves product texture.
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products in our database
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brands use it
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product categories
Better alternatives exist. Brands choose ceteareth-20 because it’s cheap and effective, but safer options like cetearyl olivate/sorbitan olivate (Olivem 1000), glyceryl stearate (non-ethoxylated), beeswax deliver similar results without the health concerns.
Ceteareth-20 in product types.
Click a category to see every product containing ceteareth-20.
Products Containing Ceteareth-20
These popular products list ceteareth-20 in their ingredient labels. Tap any card to see the full breakdown.
Compared to Numbrrrz.
Here’s how the lowest-scoring product containing ceteareth-20 compares.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair
Neutrogena
Numbrrrz
Organic Lip Balm
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What to use instead.
What Numbrrrz uses instead
Numbrrrz uses zero ethoxylated ingredients. Our lip balms use Organic Beeswax as a natural emulsifier — no ceteareth-20, no ethoxylation process, and no 1,4-dioxane contamination risk.