Oleth-3 Phosphate

What Oleth-3 Phosphate is & what it does

Oleth-3 Phosphate is a phosphate ester of an ethoxylated oleyl alcohol, used in cosmetics primarily as an emulsifier and surfactant. It helps blend oil and water phases into a stable cream or lotion and can also act as a mild cleansing agent. It is a synthetic ingredient that improves the texture and stability of emulsions.

What does Oleth-3 Phosphate do in skincare?

Oleth-3 Phosphate works as an emulsifier and surfactant. It blends oil and water into a stable cream or lotion and can also act as a mild cleansing agent. Its main job is to keep the formula uniform and improve its texture.

Is Oleth-3 Phosphate natural or synthetic?

Oleth-3 Phosphate is a synthetic ingredient produced from ethoxylated fatty alcohols and phosphoric acid. While part of the raw material can originate from plant-derived alcohols, the finished emulsifier is made through a manufacturing process. It is typically suitable for vegan formulas.

Is Oleth-3 Phosphate safe for skin?

Oleth-3 Phosphate is used in small amounts as an emulsifier and is generally well tolerated in finished cosmetic products. As a surfactant it could feel mild to some sensitive users, so a patch test is reasonable if your skin reacts easily. In a balanced formula it mainly serves to stabilize the texture.

Sunscreens with Oleth-3 Phosphate

We rate 47 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

• Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Naked Broad Spectrum SPF 45 81/100
• EltaMD UV Physical Broad-spectrum SPF 40- Rosy Tint 80/100
• Arcona Reozone® 40 Spf 40 79/100
• EltaMD UV Luminous Broad-spectrum SPF 41 79/100
• EltaMD UV Physical Broad Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted Face Sunscreen 79/100
• EltaMD UV Physical Broad-spectrum SPF 41 79/100
• EltaMD Uv Physical Spf 41 Sunscreen 79/100
• EltaMD Uv Physical Tinted Face Sunscreen Spf 41 78/100
• PCA Skin Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Spf 50+ 76/100
• PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 75/100

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