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Steareth-2
AKA “2-(2-octadecoxyethoxy)ethanol, Lipocol S-2, Procol SA-2, Genapol HS 020, PEG-2 Stearyl ether, BRIJ s2, V56DFE46J5, STEARETH-2 [II], STEARETH-2 [VANDF]”
Surfactant
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Ingredient Facts
Steareth-2
AKA: 2-(2-octadecoxyethoxy)ethanol, Lipocol S-2, Procol SA-2, Genapol HS 020, PEG-2 Stearyl ether, BRIJ s2, V56DFE46J5, STEARETH-2 [II], STEARETH-2 [VANDF]
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 2
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Clean
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-octadecyl-.omega.-hydroxy
Effective at 11.51%
Formula
C22H46O3
Mol. Weight
358.60
CAS #
9005-00-9, 16057-43-5
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Surfactant Cleansing
Surfactant Emulsifying
Strengthens Barrier
Lifts away dirt and oil
Mixes oil and water
Traditional Use
A lower-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol created as an emulsifier and surfactant in cosmetics.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Concentration Guide
0.02%
23.0%
0%32%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 18-23 | 0.02-0.4 | 0.2-1
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Steareth-2,-4,-6, -7, -10, -11, -13, -15, and -20
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
HEA/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Isosteareth-2
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Isosteareth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Isosteareth-22
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Isosteareth-25
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Steareth-2
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Steareth-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Steareth-200
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Steareth-21
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Steareth-25
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Steareth-27
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Isosteareth-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Steareth-2
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Steareth-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Steareth-21
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR