PEG-75 BETA-SITOSTEROL

INCI: PEG-75 BETA-SITOSTEROL | Function: Skin Conditioning, Emollient | Type: Moisturizer

What Is PEG-75 BETA-SITOSTEROL?

A PEG-75 ether of beta-sitosterol, the most abundant plant sterol found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Beta-sitosterol is structurally similar to cholesterol, a critical component of the skin's lipid barrier. The PEG-75 chain renders this normally lipophilic molecule water-soluble, allowing it to deliver cholesterol-like barrier-supporting and anti-inflammatory benefits in aqueous cosmetic products.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Cholesterol analog — beta-sitosterol integrates with and supports the skin's natural lipid barrier
+ Anti-inflammatory — plant sterols have documented soothing and redness-reducing properties
+ Barrier repair — helps restore compromised skin barrier function, reducing TEWL
+ Water-soluble sterol delivery — enables sterol benefits in clear serums and toners

Pros

+ Beta-sitosterol clinically studied — PubMed: evidence for barrier repair, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects
+ CIR-reviewed — plant sterol derivatives considered safe
+ Plant-derived — found in soy, avocado, pumpkin seeds, and many other botanical sources
+ Non-comedogenic
+ Cholesterol-mimetic — complements skin's natural lipids without animal-derived ingredients

Cons

− Very high PEG content (75 units) — significant ethoxylation-related impurity risk
− Large molecular size limits skin penetration — mostly surface-level action
− Limited specific clinical data on PEG-75 Beta-Sitosterol (most research on pure beta-sitosterol)
− Heavily processed — not considered natural despite plant origin

Specifications

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

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 %
Barrier repair serums	0.5-3%
Sensitive skin moisturizers	0.5-3%
Anti-aging creams	0.5-3%

References

CIR (2018) — Safety Assessment of Phytosterol-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Quilez J et al. (2003) — Potential uses and benefits of phytosterols in diet and cosmetics. Clin Nutr. PMID: 12765664.
CosIng (2025) — European Commission Cosmetic Ingredient Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
EWG Skin Deep — Cosmetic Ingredient Database. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

← Back to Skinpedia