INCI name

PEG-200

A high-molecular polyethylene glycol used as a humectant and solvent.

What it is

PEG-200 is a polyethylene glycol, a polymer of ethylene oxide with an average of 200 ethylene oxide units. At this chain length it is a waxy solid. CosIng lists it as a humectant and solvent.

Where it is used

Found in creams, gels, sticks, cleansers and other 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 200 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 (6)

Check a full ingredient list