Ceteareth-20
The AI Verdict
Ceteareth-20 is a common emulsifier and surfactant in skincare and makeup. While it helps keep ingredients mixed together, it is known to be highly comedogenic—especially when combined with Cetearyl Alcohol. If you have acne-prone skin, this ingredient is notorious for causing closed comedones and breakouts, completely destroying the skin barrier.
Chemical Profile & Risk Factors
When Ceteareth-20 is combined with Cetearyl Alcohol (a very common combination in thick moisturizers), the mixture becomes highly comedogenic, scoring a 4 or 5 out of 5 on the comedogenicity scale.
As a cleansing agent, it can strip the skin of its natural lipids if used in leave-on products at high concentrations, leading to barrier damage and increased acne flare-ups.
It alters the skin structure to allow other ingredients to penetrate deeper, which can drag other pore-clogging or irritating ingredients straight into your pores.