An ethoxylated soy-derived amine surfactant. PEG Soyamines are produced by reacting hydrogenated soy amine with ethylene oxide (2 moles EO). They function as mild surfactants and conditioning agents, offering good cleansing with a conditioning after-feel. The soy origin makes them partially plant-derived, though the ethoxylation process renders them semi-synthetic.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Mild cleansing — gentler than sulfate-based surfactants
+ Conditioning effect — leaves skin feeling soft, not stripped
+ Soy-derived — partially plant-based origin
+ Good foam quality — contributes to product texture
Pros
+ Mild, non-irritating surfactant suitable for sensitive skin formulations
+ Partially plant-derived from soybean oil
+ Good conditioning properties — reduces the stripping feel of cleansers
+ Biodegradable surfactant
Cons
− Ethoxylation process may produce trace 1,4-dioxane — requires purification
− Fully synthetic after ethoxylation — not 'natural' despite soy origin
− Limited independent safety data on individual PEG soyamine variants
− May be comedogenic at higher concentrations for acne-prone skin
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Body, Hair
Product Type
Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source
Plant (Soybean)
Natural Level
Semi-synthetic
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
1/5 (very low)
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 %
Facial cleansers
0.5 - 3%
Body wash
1 - 5%
Shampoos
1 - 5%
References
CIR (2010) — Safety Assessment of PEG Soyamine Ingredients. https://www.cir-safety.org/
EWG Skin Deep — PEG compound safety database. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
CosIng (2025) — European Commission Cosmetic Ingredient Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/