Nonoxynol-10 phosphates (inci)

Nonoxynol-10 is a nonylphenol ethoxylate derivative. Nonylphenol ethoxylates represent a group of synthetic, non-ionic surfactants derived from nonylphenols. They differ from one another in the number of hydrophilic ethoxy units of the polyethylene glycol side chain. The number of ethoxy units is declared in the name e.g. Nonoxynol-10 with 10 ethoxy units.

Nonoxynol-10 phosphate is used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as surfactant (washing-active substance). Furthermore, the substance cleans the body surface and acts as a solubilizer (acts hydrotropically, i.e. it increases the solubility of a substance which is only slightly soluble in water).