Steareth-2

Steareth-2 is a waxy compound that primarily functions as an emulsifier to help water and oil-based ingredients stay together so that an emulsion is formed. If an ingredient such as this is absent from certain skin care formulations, the solution would separate (sort of like what you see with certain oil-based salad dressings). Steareth-2 is often combined with other steareth ingredients, such as steareth-21, since this combination provides an elevated sensory experience. Steareth ingredients are prepared by interacting with the chemical intermediate gas ethylene oxide with stearyl alcohol, a process which forms an entirely new stable compound. The number that comes after (for instance, 2) indicates the average number of ethylene oxide units used in the preparation. In 2012, the independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel ruled that steareth-2 is safe as used in cosmetics in amounts up to 10%. There have been concerns about the safety of steareth ingredients because toxic 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, can be produced; however, this is eliminated through purification processes.

Related ingredients: Emulsifier