A very high molecular weight polyethylene glycol used as a binder, stabiliser and thickener.
What it is
PEG-160M is a polyethylene glycol, a polymer of ethylene oxide, with an average of about 160,000 ethylene oxide units; the M stands for thousand. CosIng lists it as a binding, emulsion-stabilising and viscosity-controlling ingredient.
Where it is used
Found in gels, cleansers, creams and other water-based products.
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 in the name is an average; the INCI name does not show the molecular weight distribution.
Functions
- Binding
- Providing adhesive properties during and after compression in cosmetic tablets and/or cakes.
- Emulsion stabilising
- Helping the process of emulsification and improving emulsion stability and shelf-life.
- Viscosity controlling
- Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.