What it is
In the register’s words: “Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl hexadecyl ethers.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- CETYL HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE
- CAS number
- 80455-45-4
- EC number
- -
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Emulsion stabilizing
-
Keeps a cream’s oil and water from separating on the shelf.
Register definition: “Helping the process of emulsification and improving emulsion stability and shelf-life.”
- Film forming
-
Leaves a thin, continuous film on the hair as it dries. Polymers in gels and foams carry it; the film is what feels like a cast.
Register definition: “Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.”
- Viscosity controlling
-
Makes a product thicker or thinner, so a gel holds its shape or a shampoo pours. Gums, cellulose and some salts carry this role.
Register definition: “Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Rinse-out conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
Every label, product by product (3)
- Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Cream Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 24th of 38 names
- Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Hair Mask Deep conditioner 16th of 54 names
- Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 26th of 41 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other emulsion stabilizing ingredients on these labels
- Hydroxyethylcellulose 24 labels
- Carbomer 10 labels
- Pectin 4 labels
- Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina) 2 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.