Octoxynol-40 (inci)

Octoxynol-40 is a substance used in cosmetic formulations. Octoxynols are organic-chemical compounds from the group of ethoxylated alkylphenols. Chemically, octoxynols are p-octylphenols which are (poly)ethoxylated once or several times. The individual members of this group of substances are called octoxynol-n, where n is the number of -CH2-CH2-O groups per molecule (e.g. for "Octoxynol-40" 40 ethoxy groups).

Octoxynol-40 acts as an emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids such as water and oil so that they can be mixed together) and as a surfactant (washing-active substance).