Glycereth-26

What it is

Glycereth-26 is glycerin that has been reacted with about 26 units of ethylene oxide, making it more water-soluble and much less tacky. Formulators use it when they want glycerin-style hydration without the sticky finish, particularly in gels, essences and sheet-mask serums.

What it does well

• Hydrates with a light, non-tacky finish

  It performs the same water-binding role as glycerin but feels considerably lighter, which is why it turns up in gel-textured masks and watery essences.

  Moderate evidence

Worth knowing

• Ethoxylated ingredient, so manufacturing purity matters

  Ethoxylation can leave trace 1,4-dioxane, a by-product. EU manufacturers are required to remove it to technically unavoidable trace levels under the Cosmetics Regulation's general safety obligation, and cosmetic-grade material is purified for exactly this reason. This is a manufacturing-quality point, not a reason to avoid the ingredient.

  Matters most toPeople who prefer to avoid ethoxylated ingredients as a general principle.

Where the EU stands