What a 2/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 2 is still within the non-comedogenic range that dermatologists generally consider low-risk. That places Ceteareth-20 in the range most people, including many with acne-prone skin, tolerate well.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Ceteareth-20, so we publish the range (2) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Ceteareth-20 near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Ceteareth-20
It is an emulsifier, the ingredient that keeps a product's oil and water phases from separating. A widely used emulsifier rated around 2 on classic lists; INCIDecoder places it at 2.
On a label it can read as Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth 20 — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Ceteareth-20 in makeup and skincare
It quietly stabilises most cream foundations, lotions, and moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Ceteareth-20 is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Ceteareth-20 comedogenic FAQ
Is Ceteareth-20 comedogenic?
Not usually. Ceteareth-20 is rated 2/5, which is low risk on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it is unlikely to clog pores for most people, including many with acne-prone skin. Sources disagree on Ceteareth-20, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Ceteareth-20?
Ceteareth-20 has a comedogenic rating of 2/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 93 rate higher than Ceteareth-20, 58 rate lower, and 38 others share its 2/5. Among the 22 rated emulsifiers, 13 rate higher and 4 lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Ceteareth-20 pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 2/5, Ceteareth-20 sits in the range generally treated as non-comedogenic. Concentration still matters: an ingredient near the top of a label makes up far more of the product than one near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.