Steareth-2 is a polyethylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol, containing an average of 2 ethylene oxide units. It is a low-HLB, nonionic surfactant that acts primarily as a co-emulsifier in water-in-oil emulsions. This ingredient is widely used in creams, lotions, and ointments to stabilize formulations and improve consistency. Its compatibility with high-HLB emulsifiers like Steareth-20 makes it an important ingredient for balanced emulsification systems.
