Nonyl nonoxynol-5 (inci)

Nonyl nonoxynol-5 is an ester compound between the C-9 alcohol (nonyl alcohol also called nonanol) and a nonylphenol ethoxylate derivative (here: nonoxynol-5). Nonylphenol ethoxylates are a group of synthetic, non-ionic surfactants derived from nonylphenols. They differ from each other 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- 5 with 5 ethoxy units.

Nonyl nonoxynol-5 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, in short it has an emulsifying effect).