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Trideceth-10

What Trideceth-10 is & what it does

Trideceth-10 is a polyethylene glycol ether of tridecyl alcohol, with the number indicating roughly ten ethylene oxide units. In sunscreen and skincare formulas it acts as a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier, helping oil and water phases mix and stabilizing the product. It is a synthetic ingredient chosen for its reliable solubilizing and cleansing performance.

Is Trideceth-10 safe?

Trideceth-10 is a nonionic surfactant used in many cosmetic and sunscreen formulas and is generally considered safe at the levels used. It mainly helps mix oil and water and rinses or wears away easily. Ethoxylated ingredients like this should be made to cosmetic-grade purity, which manufacturers control during production.

Is Trideceth-10 natural or synthetic?

Trideceth-10 is synthetic, made by attaching ethylene oxide units to a tridecyl alcohol base. The number 10 refers to the average degree of ethoxylation. It does not occur in nature in this form.

Does Trideceth-10 clog pores?

Trideceth-10 is used at low levels as a surfactant and emulsifier and is not generally considered a notable pore-clogging ingredient. Its main job is to help disperse other ingredients rather than form an occlusive film. Individual skin reactions vary, so patch testing is reasonable if you are acne prone.

Sunscreens with Trideceth-10

We rate 17 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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