PEG-15 Stearamide is a polyethylene glycol amide of stearic acid, ethoxylated with 15 moles of ethylene oxide. It functions as a nonionic surfactant and foam booster in cleansing formulations. The 15-unit PEG chain provides moderate water solubility, making it suitable as a viscosity builder in shampoos and body washes.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Foam boosting — improves foam quality and stability
+ Viscosity building — thickens surfactant systems
+ Mild cleansing — contributes to gentle cleansing base
Pros
+ Effective at low concentrations (0.5-2%)
+ Compatible with anionic and amphoteric surfactants
+ Improves product texture and feel
+ Low irritation potential in rinse-off products
Cons
− Fully synthetic — petroleum-derived PEG chain
− Potential 1,4-dioxane trace contamination from ethoxylation
− Not biodegradable in conventional wastewater treatment
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Body, Hair
Product Type
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 %
Shampoos
0.5 - 2%
Body washes
0.5 - 2%
Facial cleansers
0.5 - 1.5%
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/