Ingredient dictionary

Trideceth-10

Trideceth-10 is a nonionic surfactant made from a synthetic fatty alcohol and ethylene oxide. Its main job is to cleanse, foam, and help oil and water mix. It is on the label of 24 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

What Trideceth-10 does

Lifts oil and dirt from hair and scalp
Helps shampoo produce a soft, even foam
Helps pigments and oils blend into water

Trideceth-10 starts with tridecyl alcohol, a synthetic fatty alcohol. It is reacted with ethylene oxide, which adds a chain of small water-loving units to the molecule. The number in the name refers to how many of these units are attached on average. The result is a nonionic surfactant, meaning it carries no electrical charge and blends well with other ingredients.

Formulators use it because it lowers the surface tension of water, so oils and dirt can be lifted and rinsed away. In shampoos it helps build a soft foam. In hair color it helps keep pigments spread evenly through the mix. It feels light in a formula and rinses off cleanly, which is why it shows up so often in rinse-off products.

Good for

Suits people who want a cleanser that rinses clean in rinse-off shampoos and scalp products, and in many hair color formulas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Trideceth-10 harsh on hair?

It is generally considered a mild surfactant that is used in many rinse-off products. Like most cleansers, it can dry out hair or scalp if used very often or at high levels, so a conditioner helps balance it. Most people tolerate it well.

Is Trideceth-10 the same as sulfates?

No. Sulfates are anionic cleansers, which carry a negative charge. Trideceth-10 is nonionic, so it has no charge. Formulas often pair nonionic and anionic cleansers together to fine-tune foam and feel.