Methyl Gluceth-20
No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.
Also written as: Methyl glucose ether-20
What it is
Methyl gluceth-20 is made by attaching about twenty ethylene oxide units to methyl glucoside, a simple derivative of glucose. The sugar backbone binds water well while the ethoxylated part keeps it non-sticky, so it is used where a formulator wants hydration without the tackiness of high glycerin levels.
What it does well
Hydrates the skin surface with a light, non-tacky feel
Sugar-derived humectants of this type bind water in the upper layers of the skin and are widely used in essences and gel masks.
Moderate evidence
Worth knowing
Ethoxylated, so the PEG trace discussion applies
Despite the sugar-derived name it is an ethoxylated ingredient, so the same 1,4-dioxane residue controls apply as for PEGs.
Matters most toConsumers avoiding ethoxylated ingredients on principle.
Where the EU stands
No specific restriction
No EU concentration limit. Ethoxylation residues are covered by Article 17 of the Cosmetics Regulation.
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Article 17 (traces of prohibited substances) · source ↗
