Steareth-20
Steareth-20
- Role
- Stabilizes the emulsion and helps disperse oily ingredients in water.
- Catalog formulas
- 5
- Type
- Texture
- Verified
- 06.11.2026
What does this ingredient do in an antiperspirant?
An ether of stearyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol with an average of 20 ethylene oxide units. CosIng lists emulsifying and cleansing functions for it.
Part of a system, not a label in isolation
In the catalog it appears in several roll-ons and one cream. It helps keep the emulsion uniform and has nothing to do with sweat control.
The CIR included Steareth-20 in its assessment of alkyl PEG ethers (2012): safe in the present practices of use provided the formula is non-irritating.
The CIR set the non-irritating condition because products containing some ingredients of this group can irritate the skin. In practice, what matters is how the specific product is tolerated.
Steareth-20 and Steareth-21 are neighboring members of one series, but they are different INCI names; product links are built on the exact name.
Products containing Steareth-20
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-20 Supports: function, substance identity
- CIR: Safety Assessment of Alkyl PEG Ethers as Used in Cosmetics (2012) Supports: safety assessment, non-irritating formulation condition