PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate

What Is It?

PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-75 Propylene Glycol Stearate and PEG-120 Propylene Glycol Stearate are polyethylene glycol (PEG) ethers of propylene glycol stearate. PEG-10 Propylene Glycol is a polyethylene glycol ether propylene glycol. PEG-8 Propylene Glycol Cocoate is the polyethylene glycol ether of propylene glycol cocoate (fatty acids derived from coconut oil), and PEG-55 Proplyene Glycol Oleate is the polyethylene glycol ether of propylene glycol oleate. In cosmetics and personal care products, these six ingredients are used in the formulation of shampoos, bath products, personal cleanliness products and other skin and hair care products.

Why Is It Used?

PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-75 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-120 Propylene Glycol Stearate and PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate help other ingredients to dissolve in a solvent in which they would not normally dissolve. These PEG ingredients also clean the skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away. PEG-10 Propylene Glycol is used to dissolve other substances and to increase the water content of the top layers of the skin by drawing moisture from the surrounding air. PEG-8 Propylene Glycol Cocoate helps to form emulsions by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified. It also acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance.

Scientific Facts

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Propylene Glycol Stearates, PEG-8 Propylene Glycol Cocoate and PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate are produced from stearic acid, lauric acid, and oleic acid, respectively. They are manufactured by reacting the appropriate fatty acid with a specific number of units of ethylene oxide. The number in the ingredient name corresponds to the average PEG chain length.

Safety Information

The safety of the PEG Propylene Glycol ingredients has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-75 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-120 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-10 Propylene Glycol, PEG-8 Propylene Glycol Cocoate, and PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate were safe in cosmetics and personal care products.

CIR Safety Review: In an acute oral toxicity study, PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate was not toxic. An antiperspirant product containing 2% PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate was nonirritating to mildly irritating to the eyes.

This product was also practically nonirritating to the skin in single-insult occlusive patch tests. In a sensitization test, PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate was classified as nonallergenic at concentrations of 25% and 50% in petrolatum.

PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate and PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate were negative in clinical patch tests. Based on the available data, it was concluded that these ingredients were safe as used (concentrations no greater than 10%) in cosmetic formulations. Based on evidence of kidney damage in burn patients treated several times each day with a PEG-based antimicrobial preparation, the ingredients included in this review should not be used on damaged skin. Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, may be found in the PEG Propylene Glycol ether ingredients.

The potential presence of this material is well known and can be controlled through purification steps to remove it from the ingredients before blending into cosmetic formulations.

Link to more information about what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is doing to assure that cosmetics do not contain unsafe levels of 1,4-dioxane.
http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/PotentialContami…

When conforming to European animal by-products legislation, PEG-25, -75, and -120 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-10 Propylene Glycol, PEG-8 Propylene Glycol Cocoate, and PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation:
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…

More Scientific Information

These six ingredients are the polyethylene glycol ethers of either propylene glycol itself, propylene glycol stearate, propylene glycol oleate, or propylene glycol cocoate. In cosmetics and personal care products, PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-75 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-120 Propylene Glycol Stearate and PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate function as surfactants – cleansing agents and surfactants – solubilizing agents. PEG-10 Propylene Glycol functions as a skin conditioning agent – humectant and as a solvent. PEG-8 Propylene Glycol Cocoate functions as a skin conditioning agent – emollient and as a surfactant – emulsifying agent.