Substance information
“PEG” refers to a PEG-(polyethylene glycol-) derivative. The number behind “PEG-” (or the first number behind “PEG/…-“) refers to the average number of molecular units -CH2-CH2-O-.
Oleates are salts or esters of oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid).
Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products
ANTIMICROBIAL
Helps control the growth of micro-organisms (eg bacteria and fungi)
Origin
synthetic
Occurrence in cosmetics
Face toners, aftershaves and hair tonics, as solvent and solubiliser for active ingredients, perfume oils and colourants, humectants, basis for creams, as consistency enhancer, binding agent, softening agent and fixative
Background information on use in cosmetics
Polyethylene glycols (INCI: PEG-…) are poly condensation products of ethylene glycol, or polymerisation products of ethylene oxide. The number added to the name refers to the mean number of ethylene oxide units in the substance. The consistency of the PEG derivatives is increasingly solid with a growing degree of polymerisation. PEGs with a mean molar mass of up to 600 g/mol are liquid, up to 1,000 g/mol wax-like and from 4,000 g/mol solid wax-like substances. By mixing solid and liquid components, products of a creamy consistency are obtained which are used as water-free and water rinse-off bases. With growing molar mass water solubility and hygroscopicity (ability to absorb moisture) of the polyethylene glycols decrease.
Polyethylene glycols and their derivates are preferentially used in cosmetic products since they have a broad spectrum of viscosity and solubility properties and have a very good skin tolerance. As water soluble, non-greasy substances polyethylene glycols are suitable for many cosmetic purposes. The liquid PEGs serve, eg, as glycerol substitute in facial, shaving and hair lotions, as solubilisers and solvents.
Information on safe use
Claudia Fruijtier-Pölloth: Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products. In: “Toxicology” (2005), No. 214, P. 1-38. Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Belongs to the following substance groups
Regulating cosmetics
Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.