Glycereth-17 tallowate (inci)

The name 'glycereth- is used to describe a PEG (polyethylene glycol) ester of glycerol. The number after the name "glycereth-" indicates the average number of molecular units (-CH2-CH2-O-), e.g. glycereth-7, glycereth-12, glycereth-31, etc. The consistency (liquid to solid) and chemical-physical properties of the glycereth-derivative depend on the respective number of molecular units.

Glycereth-17 tallowate is used in cosmetic formulations as surfactant and emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids such as water and oil so that they can be mixed together).