Overview
Ceteareth-6 is a nonionic surfactant synthesized by ethoxylation of cetearyl alcohol, a blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohols. It belongs to the family of fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, widely used in personal care and pharmaceutical formulations. Its balanced hydrophilic-lipophilic properties make it effective for stabilizing emulsions and improving product spreadability. As a mild ingredient, it is favored in sensitive-skin formulations. The '6' in its name refers to the average number of ethylene oxide units per molecule, which determines its solubility and emulsifying strength. It is often combined with other surfactants to optimize performance in complex formulations.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Ceteareth-6 appears as a white or off-white waxy solid with a mild odor. Its solubility in both water and oils allows it to act as a bridge between polar and non-polar phases in emulsions. The compound is stable under normal storage conditions but may degrade at high temperatures or in strongly acidic/alkaline environments. Its nonionic nature ensures compatibility with a wide range of ingredients, including cationic and anionic compounds. The melting point range of 40–50°C makes it suitable for hot-process formulations. Its low irritation potential is attributed to the ethoxylation process, which reduces the harshness of the parent alcohol.
Main Applications
In cosmetics, Ceteareth-6 is primarily used in creams, lotions, and hair conditioners to emulsify oils and water, ensuring a smooth texture. It also functions as a solubilizer for fragrances and active ingredients in clear formulations. Its mildness makes it ideal for baby products and sensitive-skin applications. Pharmaceutical uses include topical ointments and creams where stability and skin feel are critical. In hair care, it reduces static and improves combability. The surfactant is often paired with thicker emulsifiers like Ceteareth-25 to adjust viscosity. Its versatility extends to industrial applications, such as textile and leather processing, though cosmetic-grade dominates B2B demand.
Safety and Storage
Ceteareth-6 is classified as low hazard for dermal exposure but may cause mild eye irritation. Proper handling includes using gloves and eye protection in industrial settings. Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EU Cosmetics Regulation approve its use within specified concentration limits. Storage requires protection from heat and humidity to prevent clumping or degradation. Bulk quantities should be sealed in moisture-resistant containers. Shelf life typically exceeds two years when stored correctly. Manufacturers should provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) detailing handling precautions and first-aid measures.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing Ceteareth-6, prioritize suppliers with certifications like ISO 22716 (cosmetics GMP) or USP/PhEur for pharmaceutical grades. Key specifications include purity (≥98%), free ethylene oxide residuals (<1 ppm), and acid value (<1 mg KOH/g). Request batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (CoA) to verify compliance. Pricing varies by order volume and packaging (e.g., 25 kg bags vs. drums). For small-scale buyers, distributors may offer more flexibility than direct factory purchases. Audit suppliers for consistent quality and traceability, especially if used in regulated products.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：甘油、食品级甘油、工业级甘油、1618醇、脂肪酸、月桂酸、肉豆蔻酸、硬脂酸、油酸、棕榈酸、脂肪醇、十六醇、十八醇、8醇、10醇、8/10醇、12醇、22醇、22酸、芥酸、山嵛酸、油酸甲酯、棕榈酸甲酯、月桂酸甲酯
- 主营：脂肪醇聚氧乙烯醚、渗透剂、聚乙二醇、聚醚、高分子聚醚、硬脂醇聚醚、月桂醇聚醚、吐温、司盘、蓖麻油聚氧乙烯醚、聚丙二醇、匀染剂、除油净洗剂、抗静电剂、乳化剂、消泡剂、磷酸酯、烯丙基醚、润湿剂、油酸甘油酯、橡胶防老剂、染料分散剂、异构醇醚、平平加、增稠剂
- 主营：全氟三丁胺、聚硅氮烷、特种硅油、全氟聚醚二醇、特种硅树脂
- 主营：阻燃剂、拉那白、牛儿酮、聚醚胺、海藻糖、热敏蓝、萘磺酸、氯菊酯、硫酸锌、催化剂、杨梅酯、檀香醚、吸收剂、脂檀油、苍术素、羟钴胺、转移剂、溶剂绿、麝香酮、王浆酸、芬多精、纤维素、新戊酯、王冠醚、遮甜粉
- 主营：苄基三乙基氯化铵、苄基三甲基氯化铵
- 主营：平平加、渗透剂、添加剂、聚醚多元醇、无规聚醚、司盘、快速渗透剂、分散剂、匀染剂、消泡剂、乳化剂、聚乙二醇、聚丙二醇、农药乳化剂、蓖麻油磷酸酯、吐温、抗静电剂、净洗剂、辛基酚聚氧乙烯醚、分散增溶剂、烷基酚聚氧乙烯醚、保湿剂、防老剂、甲氧基聚乙二醇、异构十醇聚氧乙烯醚
- 主营：叔碳酸、十八醛、溶菌酶、鲸蜡硬脂醇聚醚、海藻糖、癸二醇、氨基丙基、氢路噻嗪、邻苯二甲、乙基碳二、羟基癸酸、正十七烷、谷胱甘肽、烷二甲醇、松果体素、vc磷酸酯镁、2-甲基丁醛、朱栾倍半萜、丁烷四乙酸、表面活性剂、癸烷撑二醇、缩水甘油邻、10-羟基羊蜡酸、氢氯噻嗪杂质、盐酸邻菲罗啉、壳聚糖季铵盐
- 主营：226708、全氟三丁胺、木质素、吉氏色素
- 主营：己二酸二酰肼、2-甲基四氢噻吩-3-酮、3-甲基-2-丁硫醇、丙酸氯倍原料、亚乙基硫脲、2-辛二醇、三氟甲基磺酸铋、醋酸钯
- 主营：UV单体、阻燃剂、增塑剂、鲸蜡硬脂醇聚醚、光引发剂、生物化工中间体
- 主营：有机原料、中间体、香精香料、催化剂、有机硅、表面活性剂
- 主营：甘氨酸、水苏糖、阻燃剂、1680-21-3、硫酸锌、硫酸锆、硫酸锂、硫酸锶、硫酸锰、铝酸锌、牛磺酸、褪黑素、磷酸铁、丙酸铵、苏云金、碳酸镁、麝香酮、肉桂醛、磷酸铝、王浆酸、椰油胺、赖氨酸、增塑剂、浸膏粉、乙氧基
- 主营：三硫代碳酸钠、聚乙烯亚胺、三乙二醇二异辛酸酯、红色素-16、巯基苯并噻唑钠、L-丙交酯、乙交酯、石油酯-T50、多元醇苯甲酸酯、热压敏染料、光稳定剂、高分子降解材料
- 主营：架桥剂、YW100 锂萃取剂、端羧基液体丁腈橡胶、鲸蜡硬脂醇聚醚、10-羟基癸酸、苯乙烯磷酸、肉豆蔻酸镁、硬脂酸钴、全氟三丁胺、乙烯基磷酸二乙酯、磷酸锰铁锂、β-磷酸三钙、十一烯酸、钨酸铝、1-乙炔基环已醇、间二异丙苯、锂硅合金、溴甲酚绿、生物活性玻璃、溴代海因树脂颗粒、红铝、龙涎酮、原丁酸三甲酯
- 主营：化学品、香精香料、试剂、68439、中间体、有机硅、橡胶树脂、催化剂、纳米材料