Octoxynol-20 carboxylic acid (inci)

Octoxynol-20 carboxylic acid 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-20" 20 ethoxy groups). "Carboxylic acid" denotes a carboxylic acid not further specified.

Octoxynol-20 carboxylic acid 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).