Steareth-20

Steareth-20 is a nonionic ethoxylated surfactant/emulsifier used to solubilize oils and stabilize emulsions, typically around ~0.5–5% (sometimes higher in cleansers). While generally well-tolerated in leave-on products, surfactant chemistry and ethoxylated fatty alcohols can cause mild stinging, dryness, or barrier disruption in highly reactive or eczematous skin, especially with cumulative exposure or in combination with other surfactants/actives. Given its occasional irritancy in compromised skin but low overall risk in most users, a mild score is the safest clinically aligned assessment. Safety Notes: In commercial products, Steareth-20 is commonly used as a nonionic emulsifier/solubilizer and is often present around 0.1–1% in leave-on lotions/creams and makeup as a secondary emulsifier or co-surfactant. Higher-strength consumer-available rinse-off cleansers, cleansing creams, and some anhydrous-to-rinse cleansing balms/cream-to-foam formats can push total Steareth-20 into the ~3–8% range to achieve required solubilization, texture, and stability. There is no specific EU/FDA maximum for Steareth-20 itself (it is generally allowed), so the practical upper end is driven by performance, skin feel, and irritation tolerance rather than a hard regulatory cap.