Isosteareth-50 (inci)

Isosteareth-50 is a substance used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as an emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids like water and oil so that they can be mixed together) and as a 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-50, for example, is the INCI designation for a polyoxyethylene ether with 50 ethylene oxide units per mole.