Po
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
An emulsifier that keeps oil and water blended, commonly used in lotions and in sunscreens to disperse UV filters evenly.
What it does
Potassium cetyl phosphate is an emulsifier that stabilizes the mix of oil and water in a formula. It shows up often in sunscreens and lotions, where even dispersion matters for consistent feel and, in sunscreens, even filter coverage. It is a behind-the-scenes formulation ingredient rather than an active.
Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.