Isosteareth-12 (inci)

Isosteareth-12 is a substance 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) and as surfactant (washing-active substance).

The polyoxyethylene ethers of isostearyl alcohol are called isosteareth(s) (for comparison see: laurethe as polyoxyethylene ether of lauryl alcohol and others). 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. Isosteareth -12, for example, is the INCI designation for a polyoxyethylene ether with 12 ethylene oxide units per mole.