A PEG-6 ester of propylene glycol with caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) fatty acids, derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. This mild emollient ester provides light, non-greasy conditioning to the skin while being water-dispersible due to the PEG chain. It helps improve skin feel in moisturizers, cleansers, and hair care products.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Light emolliency — conditions skin without greasy residue
+ Water-dispersible — easier to formulate than pure fatty acid esters
+ Improves product texture — adds a soft, silky feel
Pros
+ CIR-reviewed — PEG esters considered safe
+ Non-comedogenic — suitable for facial products
+ Partially plant-derived — caprylic/capric acids from coconut/palm
+ Good skin tolerance — low irritation potential
Cons
− PEG content — ethoxylation byproduct concerns
− Limited specific safety data — assessed as part of PEG ester class
− Palm-derived source may raise sustainability concerns
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Eye, Body
Product Type
Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source
Semi-synthetic
Natural Level
Semi-synthetic
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
1/5 (very low)
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
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 %
Light moisturizers
1-5%
Cleansers
1-4%
Hair conditioners
1-5%
References
CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) — Safety Assessment of PEG and PEG Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics. Published in International Journal of Toxicology.
CosIng (2025) — European Commission Cosmetic Ingredient Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
EWG Skin Deep — Cosmetic Ingredient Hazard Score. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) — INCI Monograph and Safety Data.