A polyethylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol used as an opacifier and conditioning ingredient.
What it is
PEG-4 distearyl ether is a polyethylene glycol with an average of 4 ethylene oxide units, capped at both ends with stearyl (C18) groups. CosIng lists it as a hair- and skin-conditioning, opacifying and plasticising ingredient.
Where it is used
Found in creams, lotions, hair care products and other emulsions.
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 4 refers to the average degree of ethoxylation, so the raw material is a mixture of molecules.
Functions
- Hair conditioning
- Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
- Opacifying
- Reducing transparency or translucency of cosmetics.
- Plasticiser
- Softening and making supple synthetic polumers that otherwise could not be easily deformed, spread or worked out.
- Skin conditioning
- Maintaining the skin in good condition.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.