Hexyldeceth-20 (inci)

The polyoxyethylene ethers of hexyldecanol are referred to as hexyldeceth (for comparison see: laurethe as polyoxyethylene ether of lauryl alcohol; steareth as polyoxyethylene ether of stearyl alcohol, etc.).

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. Hexyldeceth-20, for example, is the INCI designation for a polyoxyethylene ether with 20 ethylene oxide units per mole.

Hexyldeceth-20 is used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids like water and oil so that they can be mixed together), humectant and solvent.