PEG-75 SHEA BUTTER GLYCERIDES

INCI: PEG-75 SHEA BUTTER GLYCERIDES | Function: Emollient, Humectant | Type: Moisturizer

What Is PEG-75 SHEA BUTTER GLYCERIDES?

A very high-PEG (75 units) ester of shea butter glycerides. At this molecular weight, the ingredient functions more as a water-soluble polymeric humectant with shea-derived emolliency rather than a traditional emollient. It attracts and binds moisture while providing a light conditioning film. Used in hydrating serums, mists, and gel-based moisturizers that call for shea benefits without any oiliness.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Powerful humectant — high PEG content provides strong water-binding capacity
+ Shea-derived conditioning — adds skin-softening benefit from the glyceride core
+ Clear formulation compatible — fully water-soluble for transparent products

Pros

+ CIR-reviewed — safe for cosmetic applications
+ Plant-derived shea butter source
+ Non-comedogenic
+ Excellent for hydrating, oil-free formulations
+ CAS: 226993-83-5 — registered and tracked ingredient

Cons

− Highest PEG content in this batch (75 units) — ethoxylation impurity risk is proportionally higher
− Minimal shea butter character — mostly a synthetic polymer with shea glyceride end group
− Surface-level action only — large molecule does not penetrate skin
− Limited individual safety studies

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 %
Hydrating serums	1-5%
Oil-free gel moisturizers	1-5%

References

CIR (2018) — Safety Assessment of Shea Butter-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Lin TK et al. (2018) — Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. PMID: 29280987.
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/
Akihisa T et al. (2010) — Anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects of triterpene cinnamates from shea fat. J Oleo Sci. PMID: 20560011.

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