A very high-molecular-weight PEG ester (75 units) of propylene glycol and stearic acid. The long PEG chain makes this ingredient extremely water-soluble, functioning as a powerful hydrophilic emulsifier and thickener in cosmetic emulsions. It helps create stable, smooth creams and provides a silky skin feel, with the stearic acid backbone contributing emolliency.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Excellent water solubility — disperses instantly into aqueous phases
+ Powerful emulsification — stabilizes a wide range of oil-in-water systems
+ Silky skin feel — leaves a smooth, velvety finish
Pros
+ CIR-reviewed — safe for cosmetic use
+ Non-comedogenic — suitable for facial products
+ Water-soluble — simplifies cold-process and hot-process manufacturing
+ Partially natural stearic acid source
Cons
− Very high PEG content — increased ethoxylation-related impurity risk
− May feel slightly tacky at very high concentrations
− Synthetic — not for natural cosmetic standards
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 %
Creams / lotions
1-5%
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.