Triethylene Glycol

What Is It?

Triethylene Glycol and other polyethylene glycols (PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8, PEG-9, PEG-10, PEG-12, PEG-14, PEG-16, PEG-18, PEG-20, PEG-32, PEF-33, PEG-40, PEG-45, PEG-55, PEG-60, PEG-75, PEG-80, PEG-90, PEG-100, PEG-135, PEG-150, PEG-180, PEG-200, PEG-220, PEG-240, PEG-350, PEG-400, PEG-500, PEG-800, PEG-2M, PEG-5M, PEG-7M, PEG-9M, PEG-14M, PEG-20M, PEG-23M, PEG-25M, PEG-45M, PEG-65M, PEG-90M, PEG-115M, PEG-160M, PEG-180M) are polymers of ethylene glycol. The number in the name represents the average number of ethylene glycol units. The letter “M” associated with the number stands for 1000, so PEG-25M is has an average of 25,000 units of ethylene glycol. The polyethylene glycol polymers are used in a wide variety of products including bath products, shaving products, skin care products, makeup, skin cleansing products, shampoo, hair conditioners and deodorants.

Why Is It Used?

The following functions have been reported for these ingredients.

  • Anticaking agent – PEG-800
  • Binder – PEG-32, PEG-33, PEG-40, PEG-45, PEG-55, PEG-60, PEG-75, PEG-80, PEG-90, PEG-100, PEG-135, PEG-150, PEG-180, PEG-200, PEG-220, PEG-240, PEG-350, PEG-400, PEG-450, PEG-500, PEG-800, PEG-2M, PEG-5M, PEG-7M, PEG-9M, PEG-14M, PEG-20M, PEG-23M, PEG-25M, PEG-45M, PEG-65M, PEG-90M, PEG-115M, PEG-160M, PEG-180M
  • Emulsion stabilizer – PEG-350, PEG-400, PEG-450, PEG-500, PEG-2M, PEG-5M, PEG-7M, PEG-9M, PEG-14M, PEG-20M, PEG-23M, PEG-25M, PEG-45M, PEG-65M, PEG-90M, PEG-115M, PEG-160M, PEG-180M
  • Humectant – PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8, PEG-9, PEG-10, PEG-12, PEG-14, PEG-16, PEG-18, PEG-20, PEG-32, PEG-33, PEG-40, PEG-45, PEG-55, PEG-60, PEG-75, PEG-80, PEG-90, PEG-100, PEG-135, PEG-150, PEG-180, PEG-200, PEG-220, PEG-240, PEG-800
  • Plasticizer – PEG-800
  • Solvent – PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8, PEG-9, PEG-10, PEG-12, PEG-14, PEG-16, PEG-18, PEG-20, PEG-32, PEG-33, PEG-40, PEG-45, PEG-55, PEG-60, PEG-75, PEG-80, PEG-90, PEG-100, PEG-135, PEG-150, PEG-180, PEG-200, PEG-220, PEG-240, PEG-350, PEG-400, PEG-450, PEG-500
  • Viscosity decreasing agent – Triethylene Glycol
  • Viscosity increasing agent – aqueous – PEG-800, PEG-2M, PEG-5M, PEG-7M, PEG-9M, PEG-14M, PEG-20M, PEG-23M, PEG-25M, PEG-45M, PEG-65M, PEG-90M, PEG-115M, PEG-160M, PEG-180M

Scientific Facts

Polyethylene Glycols are polymers of ethylene glycol. In addition to being named based on the number of units of ethylene glycol, they may also be named based on the molecular weight of the compound. For example, PEG-8 is also known as Polyethylene Glycol 400, where 400 represents the average molecular weight of the compound.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits Triethylene Glycol to be used as an indirect food additive in adhesives, polymers and as a component of coatings in contact with food. The safety of Triethylene Glycol and other polyethylene glycols has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Triethylene Glycol and the polyethylene glycol ingredients were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products.

CIR Safety Review:

The CIR Expert Panel noted that in general, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) ingredients have a low order of oral and dermal toxicity. Lower molecular weight PEG ingredients were minimally absorbed and higher molecular weight PEGs (PEG-75 and greater) were not absorbed through intact skin. The PEGs were minimally irritating to human skin, and were not sensitizers. The available data indicated that the PEGs were not mutagenic or carcinogenic.

During its first review of the PEG ingredients, the Expert CIR Panel reviewed studies which reported kidney toxicity in severely burned patients treated several times each day with a PEG-based antimicrobial cream. The PEG content of the antimicrobial cream was determined to be the causative agent. However, no evidence of systemic toxicity occurred in studies with intact skin. Additional penetration data reviewed during the second CIR review of the PEG ingredients indicated that penetration is only significantly increased when both the top layer and underlying layers of the skin are severely damaged, which occurs in second and third degree burns.

Based on this new information, the CIR Expert concluded that the PEG ingredients are safe for use in cosmetic products. Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, may be found in polyethylene glycol ingredients including the polyethylene glycol 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.

FDA: Link to Code of Federal Regulations for Triethylene Glycol

More information about 1,4-dioxane, including what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is doing to assure that cosmetics do not contain unsafe levels of 1,4-dioxane. The PEG ingredients 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.

EU Cosmetic Regulation

More Scientific Information

PEG ingredients are liquids or solids, depending on the molecular weights. Derivatives of PEG are also in common use in cosmetics. These include ingredients such as the Sorbeths, and other ingredients ending in -eth and a number.

Resources

Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration