INCI name

PEG-4

PEG-4

A short polyethylene glycol used as a humectant and solvent.

What it is

PEG-4 is a polyethylene glycol with on average four ethylene oxide units; it is a liquid. CosIng lists it as a humectant and solvent.

Where it is used

Used in creams, cleansers, toothpastes, hair care and makeup.

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.

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 (35)

Check a full ingredient list