Addresses
EWG Safety Score
What Is Oleth-10?
Oleth-10 is a form of non-irritating fatty alcohol that functions as a texture enhancer and cleansing agent. It is widely used as an emulsifier in water + oil cosmetics.
In general, oleth ingredients clean skin by helping water mix with oil and dirt so they can be whisked away. Oleth-10 can also be used in shampoos.
In 2012, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that Oleth-10 is safe as when formulated to be nonirritating (their report looked at products containing amounts of 14% and lower).
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Journal of Functional Biomaterials, August 2020, ePublication [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7563964/]
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Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, July/September 2014, ePublication [https://www.scielo.br/j/bjps/a/XjMZFXyVKtvc7JGJ8gbSftc/]
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Journal of Cosmetic Science, October 2012, pages 397-406 [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0738855112457018]
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Current Nanoscience, 2012, pages 526-534 [https://www.benthamdirect.com/content/journals/cnano/10.2174/157341312801784375]
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International Journal of Toxicology, 2012, pages 169S-244S [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23064774/]
Frequently Asked Questions
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Oleth-10 is a variant of Oleth-20, the form you will most often see on an ingredients list.
Non-ionic surfactant and cleansing agent | Helps oil and water ingredients merge within formulas
Related Ingredients
Oleth-20
Non-ionic surfactant and cleansing agent | Helps oil and water ingredients merge within formulas
Oleth-3
An emulsifying agent that helps bind water and oil in skincare formulations
Oleth-5
An emulsifier that helps blend water and oil-based ingredients in formulations
Methylpropanediol
Enhances the absorption of other ingredients
Mineral Spirits
A solvent ingredient that dissolves and disperses other components in skincare formulations
Octyldodecanol
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