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TRICETEARETH-4 PHOSPHATE.

Valuable CAS 119415-05-3 / SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

TRICETEARETH-4 PHOSPHATE is a versatile cosmetic ingredient functioning as an emulsifier, surfactant, and texture enhancer. It facilitates the stable blending of oil and water phases, improves product spreadability, and enhances the sensory experience with a creamy, non-greasy finish.

Emulsifying Surfactant Texture Enhancer

Science

This ingredient operates by significantly reducing interfacial tension between immiscible liquids, thereby creating and stabilizing emulsions crucial for incorporating diverse active ingredients. As a surfactant, it lowers surface tension, improving a product's spread and distribution, aiding cleansing, and dispersing pigments or UV filters evenly. It also acts as a rheology modifier, enhancing texture by imparting a rich yet light feel, preventing chalkiness, and promoting smooth absorption, often through the formation of liquid crystals with fatty alcohols.


Research

Medium confidence
Effective range 1–4%
Optimal

1-4%

Key findings

  1. 01 Concentrations between 1% and 4% effectively modify rheology, contributing to creamy, non-greasy textures in cosmetic formulations.

Transparency

Not commonly dusted

The Formula

Solubility
Both
Optimal pH 3 – 9
0 7 14

Stability

A highly stable and mild waxy compound, TRICETEARETH-4 PHOSPHATE maintains efficacy across a broad pH range of 3 to 9. It demonstrates good electrolyte tolerance, compatible with up to 5% ethanol and 1.0% sodium chloride, and possesses a high HLB value beneficial for stabilizing emulsions with polar oils and UV filters. Its solubility in aqueous systems may vary with ethoxylation levels.

Synergies

  • Forms liquid crystals with fatty alcohols, enhancing emulsion stability and modifying flow behavior.

Conflicts

  • Strong reducing agents (risk of toxic phosphine gas release)
  • Oxidizing agents (risk of toxic phosphorus oxide release)

Safety

CIR Status
Not reviewed
Sensitization risk Moderate

While generally considered safe for topical use within recommended cosmetic concentrations, raw or highly concentrated forms should be avoided to prevent skin irritation. Ensuring high-purity material is critical to mitigate risks from ethoxylation impurities like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Industrial context data on organophosphate flame retardants highlights potential irritation and organ damage, but this does not directly apply to cosmetic use safety in typical formulations; however, patch testing is advised for sensitive individuals as allergic contact dermatitis has been documented.


Your Skin

Yes Normal
Yes Dry
Yes Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy Medium
Comedogenicity Low

Our Assessment

Valuable

TRICETEARETH-4 PHOSPHATE is a valuable multifunctional ingredient, effectively stabilizing emulsions and enhancing sensory aesthetics across a wide range of cosmetic products, though sourcing high-purity material and patch testing for sensitive skin are prudent.


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