PEG-4 Stearate

INCI: PEG-4 Stearate | Function: Emulsifier (w/o) | Type: Emulsifier (Nonionic)

What Is PEG-4 Stearate?

PEG-4 Stearate is a polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid with 4 moles of ethylene oxide. It has low water solubility and functions primarily as an emulsifier in skincare formulations. 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 %
Creams (w/o)	1 - 3%
Lotions	0.5 - 2%
Stick products	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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