PEG-5 TRICAPRYL CITRATE

INCI: PEG-5 TRICAPRYL CITRATE | Function: Emollient, Plasticizer, Emulsifier | Type: PEG Citrate Ester

What Is PEG-5 TRICAPRYL CITRATE?

PEG-5 TRICAPRYL CITRATE 是一种PEG化柠檬酸三酯（Tri-alkyl Citrate PEG Ether），由柠檬酸与辛酸（caprylic acid）酯化后再与PEG-5醚化制得。作为多功能润肤剂和增塑剂，提供轻薄肤感，兼具乳化辅助功能。柠檬酸骨架赋予良好的皮肤兼容性和轻微去角质潜力。(PEG-5 TRICAPRYL CITRATE is a PEGylated tri-alkyl citrate ester. As a multifunctional emollient and plasticizer, it provides a 轻薄 skin feel with co-emulsifying properties. The citrate backbone offers good skin compatibility and mild exfoliating potential.)

Key Skin Benefits

+ 润肤肤感 — 轻薄触感，适合不同产品类型 (Emollient feel — 轻薄 touch, suitable for various product types)
+ 增塑/柔顺 — 在发用产品中提供柔韧性 (Plasticizing/softening — provides flexibility in hair products)
+ 柠檬酸骨架 — 天然来源的酸基质，良好皮肤兼容 (Citrate backbone — naturally-derived acid base, good skin compatibility)

Pros

+ 多功能 — 兼具润肤、增塑和辅助乳化 (Multifunctional — emollient, plasticizer, and co-emulsifier)
+ 肤感可调 — 通过选用不同脂肪酸链调节肤感 (Tunable feel — different fatty acid chains adjust skin feel)
+ 柠檬酸基 — 天然来源的多元酸 (Citrate-based — naturally-derived polyacid)

Cons

− 含PEG — 涉及环氧乙烷工艺 (Contains PEG — ethylene oxide process)
− 合成来源 — 非天然提取 (Synthetic origin — not naturally extracted)
− 辅助功效弱 — 主要作为肤感改良剂 (Weak primary efficacy — mainly a feel modifier)

Specifications

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

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	1/5 (low)
Comedogenic Rating	0-1/5
EWG Score	1/10

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 %
Face Cream	1 - 5%
Hair Conditioner / Styling	0.5 - 3%
Lip Balm	2 - 8%

References

CIR (2010) — Safety Assessment of PEGs as Used in Cosmetics. Conclusion: PEGs safe as used. PMID: 20629512
CosIng (2025) — European Commission Cosmetic Ingredient Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
EWG Skin Deep — PEG compound hazard database. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
SpecialChem — Cosmetic ingredient selector and formulator reference. https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/

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