PPG-5 Ceteth-20
Reviewed by Daisy · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Cetyl Alcohol
Ether of cetyl alcohol | Helps to create cohesive, well-mixed formulas
Addresses
EWG Safety Score
What Is PPG-5 Ceteth-20?
PPG-5-Ceteth-20 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifying agent used in skin care to help create cohesive formulas. This ingredient also serves as an emollient and imparts a dry, silky feel on skin.
This ingredient works to make sure water and oil-based ingredients mix and don’t separate while also forming a barrier over skin, helping to trap moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss.
It’s an ether (a compound having a carbon-oxygen-carbon bond) of cetyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol, and usually appears in cosmetic formulas in percentages between 0.05 and 10%.
In its raw material form, PPG-5-Ceteth-20 is a clear-to-slightly hazy liquid. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel analyzed PPG-5-Ceteth-20 and deemed it safe for use in cosmetic applications.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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ULPropspector, Webpage, Accessed February 2023 [URL]
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International Journal of Toxicology, July 2016, pages 60S-89S [URL]
How widely it's used
Regulatory information
Standardised cosmetic-ingredient identifiers used by regulators.
Show identifiers
- INCI Name
- PPG-5-CETETH-20
- Function
- Emulsifying, Surfactant
From the Clinic
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