Suggested are alkoxylated glycerol acetals according to formulae (Ia) and (Ib) in which R 1 stands for a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated and optionally substituted hydrocarbyl residue comprising 6 to 22 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 to 3 double bonds, a benzyl or furfuryl radical, R 2 stands for hydrogen, an alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms or an acyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 to 3 double bonds, AO represents an ethylene oxide, an propylene oxide, an butylene oxide unit or their mixtures, and n stands for an integer of about 1 to about 100.
