Oleth-7 (inci)

Oleth(s)" are the polyoxyethylene ethers of oleyl alcohol, an unsaturated monohydric alcohol with the linear formula CH3(CH2)7CH= CH(CH2)7CH2OH (for comparison see: laurethe as polyoxyethylene ether of lauryl alcohol; stearethe as polyoxyethylene ether of stearyl alcohol, etc.). In the term "oleth", the numbering shown below indicates the average number of ethylene oxide units per mole. For oleth-7 this is 7 ethylene oxide units per mole.

Oleth-7 is used in cosmetic formulations. The polyoxyethylene ether acts as an emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids like water and oil so that they can be mixed together).