Ceteareth-10 is the INCI name for a surfactant whose structure belongs to the group of commonly used derivatives of ethoxylated fatty alcohols. Its precursor is a high molecular weight alcohol of natural origin, that is mostly present in vegetables. Chemically, it is a mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohols which are ethoxylated with ten moles of ethylene oxide. This non-ionic surfactant meets all the strict quality requirements set out in the European Pharmacopoeia which are defined on account of the pharmacy code. Thus Ceteareth-10 is classified as part of the Macrogol Cetostearyl Ether group. Moreover, this chemical substance is safe for use in cosmetic formulations without any restrictions. The CAS number allowing for the global identification of Ceteareth-10 is 68439-49-6.
Under normal conditions of room temperature (approx. 25oC), Ceteareth-10 is a white solid whose consistency resembles wax. Due to the form of the substance, it is most advantageous to use hot water in order to convert the substance to a more liquid form, when preparing a solution. When using the Hazen platinum-cobalt scale, the colour of the substance does not exceed 30 points. The cloud point, which is characteristic for surfactants, is 72-76oC for a 1% aqueous solution of Ceteareth-10. At this temperature, the surfactant is insoluble in water, so the solution becomes clouded. For non-ionic substances, the temperature increases depending on the ethoxylation degree in the structure. Above this temperature, van der Waals forces make the solution separate into two phases – the organic phase, which is thick and rich with the surfactant, and the aqueous phase with a much lower content of the active substance. The environment that results from the preparation of a 1% aqueous solution of Ceteareth-10 ranges from slightly acidic to neutral (5.0-7.0). The structure of the substance makes it an excellent emulsifier, i.e. a chemical compound which makes it possible to form an emulsion. It enables the water and oil phases to combine. Ceteareth-10 is an oil-in-water emulsifier; which means that oil molecules are surrounded by water molecules and that liquid molecules do not combine with each other or attract each other but remain dispersed in the emulsion. The hydrophile-lipophile balance which shows the polarity degree of surfactants is 13 for Ceteareth-10. This value means that the emulsifier stabilises O/W (oil-in-water) emulsions, as it is a hydrophilic emulsifier. The activity of the substance does not deteriorate as the hardness of water increases or when electrolytes are added, but it is sensitive to changes inthe pH reaction of the environment. As the biodegradability of Ceteareth—10 is compliant with the biodegradability criteria laid out in Regulation (EC) No. 648/2004 on detergents, the substance is considered to be fully biodegradable.
Ceteareth-10 has exceptionally good emulsifying and dispersing properties. As it stabilises oil-in-water emulsions, it is an ingredient of many cosmetic formulations such as creams, milks, hair dyes, face and body colour cosmetics and lotions. It is a substance of moderate foamability; when used with anionic surfactants, it stabilises and improves the quality of foam. When used as an ingredient of washing preparations among other surfactants, it forms what are known as mixed micelles. This translates into the possibility to use Ceteareth-10 as a rheology modifier, i.e. an agent that improves consistency. It is a washing substance excellent to remove impurities from the hair and skin. Besides applications in household products, Ceteareth-10 can also be used in industrial applications such as “soluble oils”, textile end-use finishes, anti-foaming emulsions and hydraulic fluids. Moreover, due to its capacity to emulsify substances such as mineral oils, white spirit, paraffin, xylene as well as vegetable and animal fats, the applications of Ceteareth-10 also include cleaning formulations for removing oily impurities. This chemical compound is also a dispersant for dyes and pigments, so it is used in the production of pigment pastes.
