Ceteareth-20 1 kg

Ceteareth-20: The Versatile Emulsifier for Stable Cosmetic Formulations

Discover the secret to perfectly blended and stable cosmetic products with Ceteareth-20, a highly effective emulsifier sourced from India. This white-yellow waxy granule is a cornerstone ingredient for formulators, renowned for its exceptional ability to create smooth, consistent, and long-lasting emulsions. Whether you're crafting luxurious creams, rich lotions, or gentle cleansing products, Ceteareth-20 is your go-to solution for achieving superior texture and performance.

Description and Key Features

Ceteareth-20 (INCI: Ceteareth-20) is a non-ionic emulsifier that plays a critical role in binding oil and water phases, preventing separation and ensuring the stability of your cosmetic formulations. As a member of the Ceteareth family, it is derived from a blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohols (fatty alcohols) and ethylene oxide, resulting in a versatile ingredient with broad application.

Key features and benefits:

• Powerful Emulsifier: Ceteareth-20 excels at forming and stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions, ensuring that your creams and lotions maintain their desired consistency and appearance over time.
• Versatile Solubility: While it has excellent oil solubility, its primary function is to help oil and water mix, creating stable emulsions.
• Wide Concentration Range: With a recommended usage rate of 0.5-5% (up to 20% in specific applications), Ceteareth-20 offers flexibility to achieve various textures, from light lotions to thick creams.
• Multi-functional Agent: Beyond its emulsifying properties, Ceteareth-20 also functions as a surfactant and solubilizer, helping to disperse and dissolve other ingredients evenly within a formula.
• Waxy Granule Form: Its granular form makes it easy to handle, weigh, and incorporate into the oil phase of your formulations.
• Indian Origin: Sourced from India, ensuring consistent quality and availability.

Versatile Applications and Usage Areas in Cosmetics

Ceteareth-20 is an indispensable ingredient across a broad spectrum of cosmetic products due to its excellent emulsifying and stabilizing capabilities. It is not used in candles.

• Creams and Lotions:
  • Facial Creams (Day/Night): Creates rich, nourishing textures for anti-aging, moisturizing, or reparative facial creams.
  • Body Lotions and Butters: Helps formulate smooth, spreadable lotions and thicker body butters that provide effective hydration without greasiness.
  • Hand and Foot Creams: Ensures stable, conditioning formulas for targeted hand and foot care.
• Hair Care Products:
  • Conditioners and Hair Masks: Used to create creamy textures that aid in detangling, softening, and delivering active ingredients to the hair shaft.
  • Leave-in Treatments: Forms stable emulsions for lightweight leave-in conditioners and styling creams.
• Cleansing Products:
  • Facial Cleansers and Washes (Cream/Lotion-based): While primarily an emulsifier, its surfactant properties can contribute to the mild cleansing action in creamy cleansers, ensuring effective removal of impurities.
  • Body Washes and Shower Creams: Helps create rich, luxurious lathers and stable, creamy textures in body cleansing products.
• Sun Care Products:
  • Sunscreens (Lotions/Creams): Essential for stabilizing sunscreens, ensuring an even distribution of UV filters and a consistent protection barrier.
• Color Cosmetics:
  • Liquid Foundations and Concealers: Contributes to the smooth texture and stability of liquid makeup products, ensuring even application and long wear.

Concentration: A typical concentration for Ceteareth-20 is around 5.00%, but this can be adjusted based on the desired viscosity and stability of the emulsion, ranging from 0.5% for thin lotions up to 20% for very thick, stable creams or specific solubilizing needs.

Cosmetic Recipe: "Silky Soft" Hydrating Body Lotion

Create a rich, hydrating body lotion with a luxurious feel, using Ceteareth-20 to ensure a perfectly smooth and stable emulsion.

Instructions for Preparation:

1. Sanitization: Thoroughly sanitize all your equipment (heat-resistant beakers, stirring rods, containers) with isopropyl alcohol and let them air dry completely.
2. Heat Phase A (Oil Phase): In a heat-resistant beaker, combine Ceteareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Sweet Almond Oil, and Shea Butter. Heat gently on a double boiler or in a microwave (using short bursts) until all ingredients are completely melted and the temperature reaches 70-75°C (158-167°F).
3. Heat Phase B (Aqueous Phase): In a separate heat-resistant beaker, combine Distilled Water and Glycerin. Heat on the same double boiler until the temperature also reaches 70-75°C (158-167°F).
4. Emulsification: Carefully and slowly pour the hot Aqueous Phase (Phase B) into the hot Oil Phase (Phase A), while continuously stirring with a stick blender or mini-mixer. Continue blending until a stable, uniform emulsion forms and the mixture starts to thicken.
5. Cool Down: Continue stirring occasionally as the emulsion cools down. This helps create a smooth, consistent texture. Once the temperature drops below 40°C (104°F), proceed to Phase C.
6. Add Phase C (Cool Down Phase): Add the Preservative, Fragrance Oil/Essential Oil, and Vitamin E to the cooled emulsion. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
7. Check pH (Recommended): Test the pH of your finished lotion. For body lotions, an ideal pH range is typically 5.0-6.0. Adjust if necessary by adding a tiny drop of diluted lactic acid to lower pH or diluted baking soda solution to raise pH.
8. Package: Transfer the finished lotion into clean, sterile jars or pump bottles.

Recommendations for Use:

• Proper Heating: Ensure both oil and aqueous phases reach the correct temperature (70-75°C) before combining. This is crucial for proper emulsification with Ceteareth-20.
• Continuous Stirring: Consistent stirring during the emulsification and cooling phases is key to achieving a smooth, stable lotion.
• Cool Down Phase Additives: Always add heat-sensitive ingredients like preservatives, fragrance oils, and certain vitamins (like Vitamin E) during the cool-down phase (below 40°C) to protect their efficacy.
• Storage: Store your finished lotion in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. The preservative system is vital for product safety and shelf life.
• Versatility: This base lotion recipe can be customized with various active ingredients (e.g., botanical extracts, humectants) to create lotions with different benefits.