Question 1

What does Steareth-100/PEG-136/HDI Copolymer do in a cosmetic formula?

Accepted Answer

This ingredient is primarily a synthetic rheology modifier and associative thickener. It helps build viscosity, stabilize emulsions, improve suspension, and add a smoother feel in creams, gels, and cleansing formulas.

Question 2

Is Steareth-100/PEG-136/HDI Copolymer clean?

Accepted Answer

From a clean-beauty perspective, it has friction because it is an ethoxylated synthetic polymer, with attention on residual monomers and ethoxylation by-products such as 1,4-dioxane. The finished material is generally low-irritation because of its large molecular size, but it may conflict with standards that restrict persistent synthetic polymers.

Question 3

Is Steareth-100/PEG-136/HDI Copolymer sustainable?

Accepted Answer

This material is typically made from petrochemical inputs plus fatty-alcohol feedstocks that may be plant or animal derived depending on the supplier. It is not considered readily biodegradable, and its polymeric nature gives it a weaker environmental profile than simpler, readily degradable thickeners.

Question 4

Is Steareth-100/PEG-136/HDI Copolymer COSMOS-approved?

Accepted Answer

It is not permitted under COSMOS-organic or COSMOS-natural standards because it relies on ethoxylation and synthetic polymer chemistry. Its Green Chemistry fit is limited by fossil-derived inputs, persistence concerns, and more complex processing, despite low use levels in finished formulas.

Question 5

How does Steareth-100/PEG-136/HDI Copolymer work chemically?

Accepted Answer

This compound is a high-molecular-weight nonionic amphiphilic polymer with hydrophilic polyether segments, hydrophobic fatty chains, and urethane linkages that thicken by forming associative networks in water and emulsions. Typical use is about 0.1% to 2%, and viscosity can shift with surfactant level, electrolyte content, oils, and co-solvents while remaining broadly stable across common cosmetic pH ranges.