Laneth-16 (inci)

Polyalkylene glycol ethers are non-ionic surfactants whose lipophilic part 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. Laneth-16 is the INCI designation for a polyoxyethylene ether with 16 ethylene oxide units per mole.

Laneth-16 acts as an emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids such as water and oil so that they can be mixed together) and surfactant (washing-active substance).