A clear, oily chemical compound used in cosmetics, paints, and industrial products to help other ingredients mix together smoothly.
From German 'di-' (two) + 'ethyl' (a chemical group with two carbons), + 'amino' (containing nitrogen) + 'ethanol' (alcohol). Coined in the 19th century as chemists systematically named synthetic compounds by breaking down their molecular structure.
This chemical is so common in cosmetics that it's probably in your shampoo right now—it's the ingredient that makes creams feel silky and helps water-based and oil-based products stay mixed together rather than separating like salad dressing.
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