Dea-Cetyl Phosphate
What Dea-Cetyl Phosphate is & what it does
Dea-Cetyl Phosphate is the diethanolamine salt of cetyl phosphate, a phosphate ester surfactant. It works as an emulsifier and emulsion stabilizer, helping oil and water phases blend into a uniform lotion or cream. It is particularly common in sunscreen emulsions where it can also assist in keeping UV filters evenly dispersed.
What does Dea-Cetyl Phosphate do in skincare?
It works as an emulsifier and emulsion stabilizer, helping oil and water blend into a uniform lotion or cream. It is common in sunscreen emulsions, where it can also help keep UV filters evenly dispersed. This makes it a formulation aid rather than an active skincare ingredient.
Is Dea-Cetyl Phosphate natural or synthetic?
It is a synthetic ingredient, the diethanolamine salt of cetyl phosphate produced through cosmetic chemistry. While the fatty cetyl portion can derive from natural oils, the finished emulsifier is manufactured.
Is Dea-Cetyl Phosphate safe?
It is used as an emulsifier in cosmetic formulations. As a DEA-based ingredient it is subject to purity controls in manufacturing, and its use level is set during formulation. People with sensitive skin can patch test a new product as a general precaution.
Sunscreens with Dea-Cetyl Phosphate
We rate 7 sunscreens that contain it:
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Recamier Tanga Protect-o-sol. Bloqueador En Crema SPF 50
78/100
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Solbar Zinc SPF38 Long Lasting Sunscreen
68/100
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Alchimie Forever Protective Day Cream SPF 23
63/100
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Dormer 211 Face Cream Spf 30
58/100
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Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
49/100
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Sawyer Stay Put Sunscreen SPF 30
49/100
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Solbar Fifty Water Resistant Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Protection Cream
49/100