Oleth-20 Goed Reinigingsmiddel No known benefits Oleth-20 at a glance Non-ionic surfactant and cleansing agent Helps oil and water ingredients merge within formulas May also help active ingredients permeate skin Deemed safe for use by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Oleth-20 description Oleth-20 is an emulsifying, cleansing and solubilizing agent used in skin care. It can be plant- or animal-derived or produced synthetically. As an emulsifier, it’s used to help oil and water ingredients blend within formulations, creating stability and preventing separation. Outside of this, oleth-20 is a non-ionic surfactant and cleansing agent, helping to cleanse skin’s surface, and a solubilizer, where it helps incorporate compounds, like fragrance, into product formulas. Studies suggest oleth-20 may also help active ingredients permeate skin, allowing for better penetration. Reports suggesting oleth-20 is pore-clogging (comedogenic) aren’t completely substantiated as more research needs to be completed to determine such a claim. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel deemed oleth-20 as safe for use in cosmetics in current concentration levels (0.01%-17.0%). Related ingredients: Oleths