PEG-8 PROPYLENE GLYCOL COCOATE

INCI: PEG-8 PROPYLENE GLYCOL COCOATE | Function: Emulsifier, Skin Conditioning | Type: Stabilizer

What Is PEG-8 PROPYLENE GLYCOL COCOATE?

A PEG-8 ester of propylene glycol and coconut fatty acids. This mild, water-dispersible emulsifier and emollient is derived from coconut oil, providing both skin-conditioning benefits and emulsion-stabilizing properties. It creates a soft, smooth after-feel in creams, lotions, and cleansing products, and is valued for its gentle nature.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Mild emulsification — helps create stable, fine-textured emulsions
+ Coconut-derived emolliency — provides soft skin feel from a renewable source
+ Water-dispersible — simplifies formulation in water-based and emulsion products

Pros

+ CIR-reviewed — PEG cocoates considered safe for cosmetic use
+ Partially natural origin — coconut fatty acids are renewable
+ Non-comedogenic — will not clog pores
+ Good biodegradability profile
+ Gentle — suitable for sensitive skin products

Cons

− PEG content — ethoxylation introduces trace impurity risk
− Coconut-allergic individuals may react (rare)
− Limited individual safety studies

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%
Cleansers	1-4%

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.
PubMed / NCBI — Peer-reviewed dermatology and cosmetic science literature. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

← Back to Skinpedia