A very high molecular weight polyethylene glycol used as a binder and thickener.

What it is

PEG-23M is a polymer of ethylene oxide (polyethylene glycol) with on average about 23,000 ethylene oxide units, the "M" standing for thousand. It is a high molecular weight polymer, also known as polyethylene oxide. CosIng lists it as a binding, emulsion-stabilising and viscosity-controlling agent.

Where it is used

Found in shaving products, cleansers, toothpastes and hair care 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 label does not show the concentration used.

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.

Products with this ingredient (10)

Check a full ingredient list