Menthyl Gluceth-20 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as a water-soluble cooling agent, giving products a mild fresh sensation without relying on free menthol. It can also add light humectant and solubilizing support in gels, cleansers, and leave-on products.
What does Menthyl Gluceth-20 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily used as a water-soluble cooling agent, giving products a mild fresh sensation without relying on free menthol. It can also add light humectant and solubilizing support in gels, cleansers, and leave-on products.
Is Menthyl Gluceth-20 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has friction because it is ethoxylated, a processing route associated with residual ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane controls. It is generally low-odor and well tolerated at typical cosmetic levels, but brands with strict ethoxylate policies may not include it.
Is Menthyl Gluceth-20 sustainable?
This material is made from a mix of bio-based inputs and petrochemical-derived ethoxylation chemistry. Its water solubility supports rinse-off removal, but its sustainability profile is limited by fossil-derived feedstock and purification requirements tied to the manufacturing route.
Is Menthyl Gluceth-20 COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because ethoxylated materials are excluded. From a Green Chemistry view, it is a compromise, combining some renewable carbon with a less preferred petrochemical processing step and residue-management burden.
How does Menthyl Gluceth-20 work chemically?
The molecule is a nonionic, ethoxylated menthol-glucose derivative with a polyether chain that makes the cooling group more water soluble and less volatile. It is typically used at low levels for sensory effect, often around 0.1% to 1%, and is generally compatible across common cosmetic pH ranges in aqueous and surfactant systems.
Last updated 2026-09-01