INCI name

PEG-20

A polyethylene glycol used as a humectant and solvent.

What it is

PEG-20 is a polyethylene glycol, a polymer of ethylene oxide with an average of 20 ethylene oxide units. CosIng lists it as a humectant and solvent.

Where it is used

Found in creams, gels, cleansers, toothpastes 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 20 refers to the average number of ethylene oxide units, so the raw material is a mixture of chain lengths.

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 (7)

Check a full ingredient list