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Steareth-2

What Steareth-2 is & what it does

A co-emulsifier that pairs with higher-ethoxylated partners to build stable water-in-oil and oil-in-water creams. It helps structure and thicken the formula.

What is Steareth-2 and what does it do in sunscreen?

Steareth-2 is an emulsifier, made by attaching a small amount of ethylene oxide to a fatty alcohol (stearyl alcohol). In sunscreen it helps oil and water stay blended, and it is typically paired with a more water-loving partner such as Steareth-21 to build a stable cream. It also adds body, helping structure and thicken the formula.

Is Steareth-2 safe?

Yes. The steareth emulsifiers are long-established, widely used cosmetic ingredients and are considered safe at the levels used in skincare and sun care. Steareth-2 is not flagged as an allergen in our data and is well tolerated by most people. As with other ethoxylated ingredients, reputable manufacturers purify out trace processing by-products, so the concern is a contaminant rather than the ingredient itself.

Does Steareth-2 clog pores?

Generally no. Steareth-2 does not carry a comedogenicity flag in our data, so it is unlikely to be a pore-clogging culprit for most people. It is an emulsifier used in modest amounts, not a heavy oil or wax. If you are breaking out, the richer emollients and oils elsewhere in a formula are far more likely the cause.

Is Steareth-2 fungal-acne safe?

Not entirely. Steareth-2 is built on a fatty (stearyl) backbone, and the malassezia yeast behind fungal acne can feed on that kind of fatty ester. People prone to fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) may prefer to avoid it as a precaution. This is one specific skin concern, not a broader safety problem: for everyone else Steareth-2 is harmless and routine.

What is Steareth-2 on an ingredient list (INCI)?

Steareth-2 is the INCI name shown on the label, where the number 2 refers to roughly two units of ethylene oxide attached to the fatty alcohol, not a percentage. A lower number like this makes it more oil-loving, which is why it is usually paired with a higher-numbered steareth. You will typically find it in the middle of an ingredient list, among the other emulsifiers.

Sunscreens with Steareth-2

We rate 136 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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