PEG-100 Stearate

INCI: PEG-100 Stearate | Function: Emulsifier, Thickener | Type: Emulsifier (Nonionic)

What Is PEG-100 Stearate?

PEG-100 Stearate is a polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid with 100 moles of ethylene oxide. It has excellent water solubility and functions primarily as an emulsifier in skincare formulations. — the most widely used PEG stearate, commonly paired with Glyceryl Stearate in emulsifying wax It helps blend oil and water phases, creating stable creams and lotions with a smooth texture.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Emulsification — creates stable oil-in-water emulsions
+ Texture enhancement — improves cream spreadability and feel
+ Versatility — suitable for creams, lotions, and serums
+ Compatibility — works with most cosmetic ingredients

Pros

+ Well-established safety — CIR-approved for cosmetic use
+ Provides stable emulsions with fine droplet size
+ Non-irritating at typical use concentrations
+ Cost-effective emulsifier for large-scale production

Cons

− Synthetic — PEG chain from petroleum sources
− Potential 1,4-dioxane trace contamination from ethoxylation
− Not biodegradable — environmental persistence concern

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Face, Eye, Body
Product Type	Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source	Synthetic
Natural Level	Synthetic

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	1/5
Comedogenic Rating	0/5
EWG Score	2/10

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 %
Facial creams	1 - 4%
Body lotions	0.5 - 3%
Serums	0.5 - 2%

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/

← Back to Skinpedia