Steareth-20 is a polyethylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol used as a nonionic emulsifier and surfactant to blend oil and water phases and stabilize creams and lotions. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a treatment active.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Possible transient redness or stinging, especially on compromised or sensitive skin. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Sensitization to ethoxylated fatty alcohols is infrequently reported. |
Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can cause stinging or irritation on direct ocular contact in rinse-off or leave-on products. |
Concern over 1,4-dioxane/ethylene oxide residues | Very rare | Trace byproducts from ethoxylation are a manufacturing-purity concern, minimized by modern processing. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.