STEARETH-20- ▸ O/W emulsifier: Emulsifies oil-in-water systems.
- ▸ Solubilizer: Brings sparingly soluble materials into solution.
- ▸ Surfactant: Wetting and emulsion stabilization.
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Steareth-20 (INCI Steareth-20; CAS 9005-00-9) is a nonionic emulsifier — stearyl (C18) alcohol ethoxylated with about 20 units of ethylene oxide. The 20 EO units make it strongly hydrophilic (high HLB), so it is a water-soluble oil-in-water emulsifier and solubilizer for creams, lotions and surfactant systems.
What is steareth-20?
It is an ethoxylated fatty alcohol: a stearyl chain with ~20 ethylene-oxide units. The long hydrophilic chain gives a high HLB, so steareth-20 emulsifies oils into water and solubilizes lipophilic ingredients. It is typically paired with a low-HLB co-emulsifier (such as steareth-2) to build a stable emulsifier system.
Applications by sector
Personal care. A primary oil-in-water emulsifier and solubilizer in creams, lotions, cleansers and hair conditioners, often combined with a low-HLB partner. Household & industrial. An emulsifier, wetting agent and solubilizer in cleaning and process formulations. Match the HLB pairing to the emulsion you need.
Forms and grades
Supplied as a waxy solid/flake; confirm grade on the RFQ. Related nonionic emulsifiers: isoceteth-20.
Handling and documentation
Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA); request the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for handling data.
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource supplies steareth-20 in bulk to personal-care and cleaning formulators, with CoA and SDS per lot. Submit an RFQ with your grade and target quantity.
Typical Properties
Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| INCI Name | Steareth-20 |
| CAS Number | 9005-00-9 |
| Chemical type | Nonionic surfactant — PEG-20 stearyl ether (ethoxylated C18 alcohol) |
| Appearance | Waxy solid / flake |
| Solubility | Water-soluble (high HLB) |
| Function | O/W emulsifier; solubilizer |
| Flammability / handling | Refer to the current SDS |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is steareth-20 used for?
Steareth-20 (CAS 9005-00-9) is a high-HLB nonionic emulsifier used as a primary oil-in-water emulsifier and solubilizer in creams, lotions, cleansers and conditioners, and as an emulsifier/wetting agent in cleaning formulations.
What does the “20” in steareth-20 mean?
It is the average number of ethylene-oxide units on the stearyl alcohol, which sets the high hydrophilic/lipophilic balance and therefore its strong oil-in-water emulsifying power.
Is steareth-20 used with a co-emulsifier?
Usually yes — it is commonly paired with a low-HLB partner (such as steareth-2) to form a balanced, stable emulsifier system.
What is the CAS of steareth-20?
It is CAS 9005-00-9. As an ethoxylate it is a defined-average material supplied to a grade; the CoA documents each lot.
How is bulk steareth-20 supplied and quoted?
RawSource supplies it as a waxy solid/flake in bulk with CoA and SDS per lot. Pricing is quote-based on grade and volume; submit an RFQ with your target quantity.
Disclaimer. Information on this page — including chemical properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you purchase governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim, or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information.