Steareth-2 ●
TL;DR. It functions mainly as a low-HLB nonionic emulsifier, helping stabilize water-in-oil or rich oil-phase systems. It is often paired with higher-HLB emulsifiers to build stable creams and lotions.
What does Steareth-2 do in a cosmetic formula?
It functions mainly as a low-HLB nonionic emulsifier, helping stabilize water-in-oil or rich oil-phase systems. It is often paired with higher-HLB emulsifiers to build stable creams and lotions.
Is Steareth-2 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient has friction because it is made through ethoxylation and can carry trace processing residues if purification is not well controlled. It is generally considered low in irritation potential in finished formulas, but many stricter clean frameworks flag this chemistry.
Is Steareth-2 sustainable?
This material is made from a fatty alcohol source combined with petrochemical-derived ethylene oxide, so its sustainability profile depends on both sourcing and processing controls. It is expected to be biodegradable, but its manufacture is less aligned with low-impact, renewable-only formulation standards.
Is Steareth-2 COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted in COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic formulations because ethoxylated ingredients are outside the standard’s allowed chemistry. Its Green Chemistry fit is mixed, with useful performance and likely biodegradability, but petrochemical input and ethoxylation count against it.
How does Steareth-2 work chemically?
The molecule is a C18 fatty-chain nonionic ether with an average of two oxyethylene units, giving it a low HLB around 4.9 and strong oil-phase affinity. Typical use is often in the 0.5% to 5% range, usually with a complementary higher-HLB emulsifier, and it is broadly stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges.
Last updated 2026-05-13