CETEARETH-3
Surfactant - Emulsifying Agent
Also listed as
PEG-3 CETYL/STEARYL ETHER; POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (3) CETYL/STEARYL ETHER; POLYOXYETHYLENE (3) CETYL/STEARYL ETHER
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
| Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
 | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
 | Contamination concerns - ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE |
| Other strong concerns for this ingredient: Enhanced skin absorption |
 | Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Neurotoxicity |
|
See products containing CETEARETH-3 | |
About CETEARETH-3: Ceteareth-3 is the polyethylene glycol ether of Cetearyl Alcohol (q.v.) that conforms generallyto the formula: where R represents a blend of alkyl groups derived from cetyl and stearyl alcohol and n has an average value of 3.
CETEARETH-3 has reported used in the following product types: skin fading/lightener (1)
Violations, restrictions & warnings
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin | products for use on damaged skin | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at low doses | products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5170 |
| show more | ||
Neurotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5170 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5170 |
Enhanced skin absorption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Penetration enhancer | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be persistent | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CETEARETH-3 | •Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications •Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin •Penetration enhancer - alters skin structure, allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin •May contain harmful impurities |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | ALCOHOLS, C16-18, ETHOXYLATED | •This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CETEARETH-2 | •Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications •Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin •Penetration enhancer - alters skin structure, allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin •May contain harmful impurities |
| CIR | PEG-6 | •Ethylene oxide |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5170 | CETEARETH-3 | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5170 | CETEARETH-3 | • brain and nervous system - Food intake (animal) (rat LD50) • liver - Other changes (rat LD50) • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| Impurities - Open Scientific Literature | CIR |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5170 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0555170 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 5170 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0555170 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 by Environmental Working Group
All rights reserved.
Favorites basket
No items in basket.
Skin Deep User Tools BETA
Looking for a product report that we don't have in Skin Deep? Sign up to enter it into the Skin Deep database and leave product reviews.
SKIN DEEP NEEDS YOUR HELP
We always want Skin Deep to be free to the public, but delivering high-quality research costs time and money. Help by donating just the cost of a bar of soap or bottle of shampoo.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Stay informed with email updates on toxics in everyday products and how they can affect your health.
SKIN DEEP NEWS
'I just wanted to let you know how much Skin Deep has changed my daughter's (and my) life.'
—Melissa M., Michigan