Ingredient glossary
Isoceteth-20
On your shelf ✓What Isoceteth-20 does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Isoceteth-20 · Also: PEG-20 Isohexadecyl Ether
In short: Isoceteth-20 delivers solubilization and emulsification, plays a broad, supporting role, and the evidence behind it is moderate.
- What it does
- Solubilization, emulsification
- Best for
- A broad, supporting role
- Evidence
- Moderate
What it actually is
The Glow take
Nice to have, and nothing to overthink.
Isoceteth-20 plays a quiet supporting role, rounding out a formula rather than being the reason you buy it.
— Maya
What it does
- solubilization
- emulsification
moderate evidenceAn Australian NICNAS risk assessment found no significant risk at up to 5 percent in leave-on and 12 percent in rinse-off products, and the CIR alkyl PEG ethers family review covers this ingredient class; no skin-benefit studies exist.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
No specific skin type. It is a broadly used ingredient.
Approach with care
- rare allergy
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DryNeutral
- CombinationNeutral
- OilyNeutral
- SensitiveNeutral
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- emulsifiers
Isoceteth-20, answered
Is Isoceteth-20 safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Isoceteth-20 is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Isoceteth-20?
Approach Isoceteth-20 with care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy.
What concentration of Isoceteth-20 actually works?
Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.
Sources & how we reviewed this
- PMID 23064774summary page only, the document itself was not read