Coceth(e) (inci)

Coceth(e) are the polyoxyethylene ethers of a synthetic fatty alcohol obtained from coconut oil (for comparison see: laurethe as polyoxyethylene ether of lauryl alcohol; steareth as polyoxyethylene ether of stearyl alcohol and others).

Polyalkylene glycol ethers are non-ionic surfactants, the lipophilic part of which consists of fatty alcohols (e.g. lauryl alcohol, palmitic alcohol, stearyl alcohols etc.). The hydrophilic part is formed by short-chain polyethylene glycols (polyoxyethylene). In the designation of fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, the inserted numbering means the average number of ethylene oxide units per mole. Coceth-10, for example, is the INCI designation for a polyoxyethylene ether with 10 ethylene oxide units per mole.

Coceth(e) are used in cosmetic products as emulsifiers, surfactants and foaming agents.

Representatives are:

• coceth-3
• Coceth-5
• Coceth-6
• Coceth-7
• Coceth-8
• Coceth-10