Glycereth-20 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a water-soluble humectant and skin-feel modifier that helps bind water while adding slip in gels, serums, lotions, and cleansers. It can also help disperse small amounts of oily or fragrant materials into water-based formulas.
What does Glycereth-20 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a water-soluble humectant and skin-feel modifier that helps bind water while adding slip in gels, serums, lotions, and cleansers. It can also help disperse small amounts of oily or fragrant materials into water-based formulas.
Is Glycereth-20 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient draws scrutiny because it is made through ethoxylation and may carry trace 1,4-dioxane if purification is not well controlled. It is generally low-irritation at typical cosmetic use levels, but many natural-leaning standards do not accept it.
Is Glycereth-20 sustainable?
This material is synthetic and typically relies on petrochemical processing for its oxyethylene portion, even though the starting glycerin portion can be plant-derived. Its water solubility is high, but its environmental profile is less aligned with readily biodegradable, renewable ingredient choices.
Is Glycereth-20 COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because ethoxylated materials are outside the standard’s allowed chemistry. Its Green Chemistry fit is limited by petrochemical input, ethoxylation chemistry, and residue-control needs.
How does Glycereth-20 work chemically?
The molecule is a polyether built from a glycerin core extended with an average of about 20 oxyethylene units, giving it strong water affinity and a smooth, cushiony sensory profile. It is typically stable across common cosmetic pH ranges and is used in water-based systems where humectancy, mild solubilization, or reduced tack are desired.
Last updated 2026-05-13