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Emulsifying Wax N.F.
AKA “Polysorbate 60, Stearyl Alcohol”
Wax
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Ingredient Facts
Emulsifying wax n.f.
AKA: Polysorbate 60, Stearyl Alcohol
Wax · Emollient · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Plant Oil
Wax
Not Clean
Emulsifying Wax N.F. is a cosmetic ingredient. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Form
Wax
See origin →
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Viscosity Controlling
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic emulsifier blend developed in the 20th century to stabilize oil-water mixtures in cosmetics. Replaces historical plant-based emulsifiers like beeswax and created to provide more consistent and reliable emulsification in modern formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Mild Irritant
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by wet wipes containing steareth-10: Is stearyl alcohol to blame?
Aerts O, Naessens T, Dandelooy J, Leysen J, Lambert J et al.
Contact dermatitis, 2017
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Incidence of human skin sensitization to isostearyl alcohol in two separate groups of panelists.
Aust LB, Maibach HI
Contact dermatitis, 1980
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Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Behenyl Alcohol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, and Octyl Dodecanol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Isostearyl Alcohol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Polysorbate 60
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Isostearyl Alcohol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Polysorbate 60
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Stearyl Alcohol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Investigating the influence of excipient batch variation on the structure, consistency and physical stability of polysorbate 60-based topical vehicles
Vu Dang H, Tran Huu H, Nguyen HMT
International journal of cosmetic science, 2021
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR