Deceth-4

What Is It?

The Deceth ingredients (Deceth-3, Deceth-4, Deceth-5, Deceth-6, Deceth-7, Deceth-8, Deceth-9, Deceth-10) are polyethylene glycol ethers of decyl alcohol. The number in the name indicates the average number of units of ethylene oxide in the molecule. In cosmetic and personal care products, the Deceth ingredients are primarily used in the formulation of hair dyes and colors and other hair care products.

Why Is It Used?

All of the Deceth ingredients function as surfactant — emulsifying agents.

Scientific Facts

The Deceth ingredients are produced by reacting ethylene oxide with decyl alcohol. The numerical designation refers to the average number of repeating ethylene oxide units in the molecule. Decyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with 10 carbon atoms. The fatty alcohols in the other polyethylene glycol ether compounds reviewed by CIR include lauryl alcohol with 12 carbons, stearyl alcohol with 18 carbons, and cetearyl alcohol which is a mixture of cetyl alcohol (16 carbons) and stearyl alcohol.

Safety Information

The safety of the Deceth ingredients has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel as part of the review of the alkyl PEG ethers group of ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that the alkyl PEG ethers, including the Deceth ingredients were safe as used in cosmetic products when formulated to be non-irritating.

CIR Review:

Based on similar structures, the CIR Expert Panel determined that the alkyl PEG ether compounds, including the Deceth ingredients could be reviewed together. Developmental and reproductive toxicity studies as well as mutagenicity data were all negative for these compounds. These compounds can irritate the skin. Therefore, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that the Deceth ingredients, as well as the other alkyl PEG ether ingredients were safe as used when formulated to be nonirritating. Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, may be found in the Deceth ingredients. The potential presence of this material is well known and can be controlled through purification steps to remove it from the ingredients before blending into cosmetic formulations.

More information about 1,4-dioxane.

The Deceth ingredients may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packaging/co0013_en.htm

More Scientific Information

Deceth ingredients are polyethylene glycol ethers of Decyl alcohol that contain repeating ethylene oxide units. These ingredients are useful in cosmetics and personal care products as surfactant — emulsifying agents.