An ethoxylated derivative of hydrogenated lanolin, listed as an emollient and emulsifying surfactant.
What it is
PEG-20 hydrogenated lanolin is hydrogenated lanolin, the hydrogenated form of the wax obtained from sheep wool, reacted with an average of 20 ethylene oxide units. CosIng lists it as an emollient and emulsifying surfactant.
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of 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 is an average; the material is a mixture of molecules with different chain lengths.
Functions
- Skin conditioning – emollient
- Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.
- Surfactant – emulsifying
- Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.