Steareth-2
Steareth-2
- Role
- Helps combine the water and oil phases of an emulsion.
- Catalog formulas
- 18
- Type
- Texture
- Verified
- 06.11.2026
What does this ingredient do in an antiperspirant?
It is an ether of stearyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol with an average of two ethylene oxide units. CosIng lists it as an emulsifying and cleansing surfactant.
Part of a system, not a label in isolation
In the catalog it appears almost only in roll-on emulsions, usually together with Steareth-21. It shapes the stability and texture of the base and does not reduce sweating.
The CIR assessed steareths within the alkyl PEG ethers group (2012) and found them safe in the present practices of use when products are formulated to be non-irritating. CosIng shows no annex restriction for it under EU Regulation 1223/2009.
The CIR panel noted that products made with some alkyl PEG ethers can irritate the skin, so its conclusion depends on a non-irritating formula. Tolerance is determined by the finished product as a whole.
It is neither Stearyl Alcohol nor Steareth-21: the number in the name is the average count of ethylene oxide units, and the emulsifier's properties depend on it.
Products containing Steareth-2
Links are based on the complete published INCI list for the exact product version.
Sources
The conclusions apply to the stated conditions and jurisdictions, not automatically to every concentration or product.
- EU CosIng: STEARETH-2 Supports: function, substance identity, no EU annex restrictions
- CIR: Safety Assessment of Alkyl PEG Ethers as Used in Cosmetics (2012) Supports: safety assessment, non-irritating formulation condition