PEG-7 Sunflower Glycerides

INCI: PEG-7 Sunflower Glycerides | Function: Emulsifier, Skin Conditioning | Type: Emulsifier (Nonionic, Natural-derived)

What Is PEG-7 Sunflower Glycerides?

PEG-7 Sunflower Glycerides are ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides derived from sunflower oil with 7 moles of ethylene oxide. They are natural-derived emulsifiers with good water solubility, making them useful for o/w emulsions. Sunflower oil glycerides provide skin-nourishing fatty acids while the PEG chain provides emulsification.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Natural origin — derived from sunflower oil glycerides
+ Emulsification — creates stable oil-in-water emulsions
+ Skin conditioning — sunflower glycerides nourish skin
+ Mild — gentle, suitable for sensitive skin

Pros

+ Natural-derived — renewable plant source
+ Mild emulsifier suitable for sensitive skin formulations
+ Provides some skin conditioning benefit from sunflower lipids
+ Good HLB balance for o/w emulsions at PEG-7

Cons

− PEG chain is synthetic — not fully natural
− Potential 1,4-dioxane trace contamination
− Firmer than synthetic emulsifiers
− Oxidation risk over time

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Face, Eye, Body
Product Type	Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source	Plant
Natural Level	Natural-derived

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	1/5
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 %
Facial creams	1 - 4%
Body lotions	1 - 3%
Natural formulations	2 - 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/
EWG Skin Deep — PEG compound database. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

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