PEG-50 Stearamide is a high-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol amide of stearic acid with 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The longer PEG chain increases water solubility compared to lower PEG-number analogues, making it suitable for liquid cleansing formulations. It functions as a foam booster, viscosity builder, and secondary surfactant.
Key Skin Benefits
+ High water solubility — disperses easily in aqueous systems
+ Foam stabilization — maintains foam volume and creaminess
+ Viscosity modification — adjusts thickness of surfactant blends
Pros
+ More water-soluble than lower PEG stearamides
+ Mild — suitable for sensitive skin formulations
+ Good compatibility with most surfactant systems
Cons
− Synthetic origin — PEG chain from petroleum
− Potential 1,4-dioxane trace contamination
− Higher cost than simple stearamides
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 - 2.5%
Body washes
0.5 - 2%
Liquid soaps
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/