Myreth-3 (inci)

The polyoxyethylene ethers of myristyl alcohol (tetradecan-1-ol) are called myreth(s) (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 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. Myreth-3, for example, is the INCI designation for a polyoxyethylene ether with 3 ethylene oxide units per mole.

Myreth-3 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).