PEG-10 Stearamine

INCI: PEG-10 Stearamine | Function: Emulsifier, Antistatic Agent | Type: Surfactant (Nonionic/Cationic)

What Is PEG-10 Stearamine?

PEG-10 Stearamine is a polyethylene glycol amine derivative of stearic acid with 10 moles of ethylene oxide. It functions as an emulsifier and antistatic agent, primarily used in hair care formulations. The amine group provides some cationic character under acidic pH conditions, aiding in hair conditioning and static control.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Antistatic — reduces static charge on hair
+ Emulsification — stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions
+ Conditioning — leaves hair soft and manageable

Pros

+ Effective antistatic agent at low concentrations (0.5-2%)
+ Dual function — emulsifies and conditions
+ Compatible with quaternary ammonium compounds

Cons

− Synthetic — petroleum-derived PEG chain
− Potential 1,4-dioxane trace contamination
− Can interact with anionic surfactants in formulations

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Body, Hair
Product Type	Rinse-Off
Source	Synthetic
Natural Level	Synthetic

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	2/5
Comedogenic Rating	1/5
EWG Score	3/10

Regional Regulatory Limits

Region	Leave-on %	Rinse-off %	Status
EU (CosIng)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
Japan (MHLW)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
ASEAN	No limit	No limit	Allowed
China (NMPA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed

Typical Usage % by Product Type

Product Type	Typical %
Conditioners	0.5 - 2%
Shampoos	0.5 - 1.5%
Hair masks	1 - 3%

References

CIR (2010) — Safety Assessment of PEGs. https://www.cir-safety.org/
CosIng (2025) — European Commission Cosmetic Ingredient Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/

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