INCI name

PEG-12

PEG-12 (polyethylene glycol 600)

A polyethylene glycol used as humectant and solvent.

What it is

PEG-12 is a polyethylene glycol with an average of 12 units of ethylene oxide, a water-soluble liquid polymer. CosIng lists it as a humectant and solvent.

Where it is used

Found in creams, lotions, cleansers, hair products, toothpastes and fragrances.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

The number 12 refers to the average number of ethylene oxide units, not to a concentration.

Functions

Humectant: Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.
Solvent: Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).

EU regulation

This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.

Products with this ingredient (71)

Check a full ingredient list