Laneth-10 (inci)

Laneth(e) are the polyoxyethylene ethers of lanolin alcohols (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, palmitin 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. Laneth-10 is the INCI designation for a polyoxyethylene ether with 10 ethylene oxide units per mole.

Laneth-10 is 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), viscosity regulator (increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetic products) and surfactant (washing-active substance).