PEG-5 Stearyl Ammonium Lactate is a quaternary ammonium salt where the counter-ion is lactate instead of chloride. The lactate counter-ion provides a milder feel and slightly acidic pH. It functions as a conditioning agent and emulsifier for hair care and body care products.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Mild conditioning — leaves hair soft and manageable
+ Emulsification — aids in oil-in-water emulsion formation
+ Antistatic — controls flyaway hair
Pros
+ Milder than chloride-based quats
+ Lactate counter-ion may contribute to gentle pH
+ Good wet combing properties
Cons
− Synthetic origin
− Less common — limited supplier availability
− Potential build-up on hair
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Body, Hair
Product Type
Rinse-Off
Source
Synthetic
Natural Level
Synthetic
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
1/5
Comedogenic Rating
1/5
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 %
Conditioners
0.5 - 2%
Hair masks
1 - 3%
Leave-in conditioners
0.3 - 1%
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/