Potassium octoxynol-12 phosphates (inci)

"Potassium" refers to the alkali metal potassium, "octoxynol-12" to ethoxylated alkylphenols. The number -12- indicates the average number of -CH2-CH2-O-groups per molecule - here 12 - of the compound.

Potassium octoxynol-12 phosphate is used in cosmetic products. The compound acts as an emulsifier (a surface-active substance which is used in cosmetic products as an additive to combine two immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion) and as a surfactant (a washing-active substance which improves the even distribution of the products during application).