Can Ceteareth-23 be identified by CAS 68439-49-6 alone?

No. CAS 68439-49-6 is also used for C16–18 alcohol ethoxylates with other average EO levels. Ceteareth-23 denotes the grade with an average of about 23 EO units. Confirm the named grade, average EO level, hydroxyl value, cloud point or solubility method and physical form when matching material.

Does the INCI name Ceteareth-23 establish a universal cosmetic grade?

No. The INCI name identifies the ingredient family and average ethoxylation level, not one universal commercial specification. Define hydroxyl value, water, color, pH, cloud point or solubility method, physical form and relevant ethoxylation by-product controls, then review destination-market documents and finished-formulation compatibility.

Ceteareth-23 CAS 68439-49-6

Ceteareth-23 (CAS 68439-49-6), also known as Polyoxyethylene (23) Cetyl/Stearyl Ether, is a C16–C18 fatty-alcohol ethoxylate with a nominal average of about 23 EO units. The broader name C16–18 Alcohols Ethoxylated covers grades with different EO levels. It is used as a hydrophilic nonionic emulsifier and co-emulsifier in oil-in-water systems. Physical form, hydroxyl value, water content, color and emulsification performance are key selection parameters. COA, TDS and SDS are available to support specification review and safe handling.

CAS: 68439-49-6
Synonyms: Ceteareth-23, Polyoxyethylene (23) Cetyl/Stearyl Ether, C16-18 Alcohols Ethoxylated, Ethoxylated Cetearyl Alcohol
Einecs: 500-212-8
Molecular Formula: C16-18 alcohol ethoxylate distribution; nominal average near 23 EO
Grade: Specified by hydroxyl value, water, color, pH or acidity, physical form and cloud or congealing behavior; see the current TDS and COA.
Package: Drums or bulk; confirm container, liner, net weight and handling for your order and destination.

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Product Description

1 Identity and physicochemical profile

2 Applications and grade selection

3 Storage and handling

4 Safety, documentation and procurement

Identity and physicochemical profile

Item	Technical guidance
Product identity	Ceteareth-23; ethoxylated cetyl/stearyl alcohol grade
CAS / legacy EC	68439-49-6 / 500-212-8
Composition	C16-18 alkyl and EO distributions with nominal average near 23 EO; no single exact molecular formula
Typical physical form	Waxy solid, flakes, pellets or other supplier-defined form depending on grade and temperature
Key quality controls	Hydroxyl value, water, color, pH or acidity, physical form and grade-specific cloud, congealing or emulsification tests
Grade boundary	Industrial, cosmetic and pharmaceutical suitability must be supported separately for the offered grade

Applications and grade selection

Ceteareth-23 is commonly evaluated as a hydrophilic nonionic emulsifier or co-emulsifier in oil-in-water systems. It may support dispersion, viscosity and emulsion stability in personal-care, pharmaceutical or industrial formulations with a compatible oil phase, fatty alcohol and process.

Compare the whole surfactant and fatty-alcohol system rather than matching only the HLB label.
Run heating, cooling, viscosity, centrifuge and temperature-cycle tests in the finished formulation before substitution.
Confirm impurity, regulatory and microbiological-document requirements for cosmetic or pharmaceutical use.

For a related C16–18 alcohol ethoxylate grade, see Ceteareth-30.

Storage and handling

Store closed, dry and protected from contamination within the supplier’s stated temperature range. If heating is required for transfer or processing, follow the exact grade’s maximum temperature, mixing and sampling instructions.

Safety, documentation and procurement

Use the current SDS for PPE, dust or molten-material handling, spill response and disposal. A sourcing request should include physical form, reference grade, analytical limits, application, package, quantity, destination and regulated-use documents.

For other fatty-alcohol ethoxylate pages with different alkyl chains or EO levels, review Steareth-21, C9-11 Alcohol Ethoxylate, and Laureth-10.

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

Q:
Can Ceteareth-23 be identified by CAS 68439-49-6 alone?

A: No. CAS 68439-49-6 is also used for C16–18 alcohol ethoxylates with other average EO levels. Ceteareth-23 denotes the grade with an average of about 23 EO units. Confirm the named grade, average EO level, hydroxyl value, cloud point or solubility method and physical form when matching material.
Q:
Does the INCI name Ceteareth-23 establish a universal cosmetic grade?

A: No. The INCI name identifies the ingredient family and average ethoxylation level, not one universal commercial specification. Define hydroxyl value, water, color, pH, cloud point or solubility method, physical form and relevant ethoxylation by-product controls, then review destination-market documents and finished-formulation compatibility.

Ordering & Documentation

Key information for document requests, quotations, and supply planning.

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