C12-15 Pareth-3 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a low-HLB nonionic surfactant used as an emulsifier, wetting agent, and co-solubilizer for oils, fragrance components, and other lipophilic materials. It is most useful in systems that need oil compatibility rather than strong foaming.
What does C12-15 Pareth-3 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a low-HLB nonionic surfactant used as an emulsifier, wetting agent, and co-solubilizer for oils, fragrance components, and other lipophilic materials. It is most useful in systems that need oil compatibility rather than strong foaming.
Is C12-15 Pareth-3 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient has friction because it is made through ethoxylation, a process associated with residual processing impurities such as 1,4-dioxane when purification is not well controlled. It is not usually a high-sensitization material, but many stricter lists flag or restrict this chemistry class for residue and transparency reasons.
Is C12-15 Pareth-3 sustainable?
This material is typically made from a C12 to C15 fatty chain that may come from petrochemical or plant-derived feedstocks, followed by synthetic processing. It is generally expected to biodegrade better than persistent silicone fluids, but its manufacture relies on reactive petrochemical-derived inputs and requires impurity controls.
Is C12-15 Pareth-3 COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because ethoxylated ingredients are outside the allowed processing framework. Its Green Chemistry profile is mixed, with useful performance at low levels and partial biodegradability, but weaker alignment on feedstock transparency, processing chemistry, and residual impurity management.
How does C12-15 Pareth-3 work chemically?
The molecule combines a C12 to C15 hydrophobic alkyl chain distribution with an average of about 3 ethoxy units, giving it low water solubility and an HLB typically around the high single digits. It is usually stable across common cosmetic pH ranges and is often used at low percentages as a co-emulsifier, dispersant, or oil-phase surfactant, with final performance depending strongly on the oil phase and partner emulsifiers.
Last updated 2026-05-15