- Comedogenic
- 3 / 5
- Irritancy
- 2 / 5
- Fungal acne
- Trigger
- Type
- Emulsifier
- INCI name
- Ceteareth-20
- Also listed as
- Peg-20 Cetostearyl Ether
Who should avoid it?
Avoid in leave-on face products if you have oily, combination or acne-prone skin. It is usually fine on the body, in rinse-off products, or on very dry skin that does not break out.
Watch this combination
Cetearyl alcohol + ceteareth-20 (the classic "emulsifying wax") is more pore-clogging together than either ingredient alone. See Cetearyl Alcohol.
Products that contain Ceteareth-20
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
- CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
- Aqualogica Glow+ Dewy Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ In-Vivo Tested Sunscreen
- CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion
- The Derma Co 1% Hyaluronic Sunscreen Aqua Gel
Fungal-acne safe ingredients list
Frequently asked questions
Is Ceteareth-20 comedogenic?
Yes, it is pore-clogging. Ceteareth-20 has a comedogenic rating of 3 out of 5. An emulsifier that becomes more problematic when paired with cetearyl alcohol, the classic "emulsifying wax" combination.
Is Ceteareth-20 safe for fungal acne?
No. Ceteareth-20 can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.
Does Ceteareth-20 cause acne?
It can. Ingredients rated 3–5 are frequently linked to clogged pores and breakouts in acne-prone people, especially in leave-on products.
What are other names for Ceteareth-20?
On labels it can also appear as Peg-20 Cetostearyl Ether.