Good Surfactant

Oleth-20

INCI: OLETH-20

CAS Number
9004-98-2
Function
Emulsifier (O/W)
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status permitted
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status permitted
US Notes CIR 1999 safe, reaffirmed 2013, safe when formulated to be non-irritating

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
none

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

O/W emulsifier (HLB ~15) with ethoxylated composition; 1,4-dioxane impurity concern (verify โ‰ค10 ppm EU); potential moderate ocular irritant; CIR determined safe when formulated to be non-irritating.

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Concern Level: Low

Regulatory Flags

CONTROVERSIAL epa_safer_alternative ifra_fragrance

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oleth-20 safe in cosmetics?

O/W emulsifier (HLB ~15) with ethoxylated composition; 1,4-dioxane impurity concern (verify โ‰ค10 ppm EU); potential moderate ocular irritant; CIR determined safe when formulated to be non-irritating. The EU classifies Oleth-20 as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD.

Is Oleth-20 allowed in the EU?

Oleth-20 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Oleth-20 do in cosmetics?

Oleth-20 functions as: Emulsifier (O/W). It is classified as a Surfactant in our database. CAS number: 9004-98-2.

What is the Margin of Safety for Oleth-20?

not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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