What it is
Oleth-3 Phosphate is formed by reacting oleth-3 (oleyl alcohol with three units of ethylene oxide) with phosphoric acid to create an anionic phosphate-ester surfactant. It is used to emulsify oil and water phases and to stabilize emulsions, and it can help disperse pigments and sunscreen actives. The low degree of ethoxylation gives it a comparatively oil-loving, water-in-oil character useful in certain creams and sunscreens.
Safety & warnings
Phosphate-ester emulsifiers of this type are generally well tolerated at cosmetic use levels and are not recognized fragrance allergens. As anionic surfactants they can be mildly irritating at high concentrations, but typical formula levels are low. No notable comedogenicity concerns are established.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic. It is made by ethoxylating oleyl alcohol, which may be plant- or synthetically derived, and then esterifying with phosphoric acid.
Questions everyone asks
What does oleth-3 phosphate do?
It is an anionic phosphate-ester emulsifier and surfactant that blends oil and water phases and helps stabilize the emulsion and disperse pigments.
Is it the same as oleth-3?
No. It is the phosphoric acid ester of oleth-3, which gives it different emulsifying behavior than the parent ethoxylated alcohol.