PEG-150 Distearate
Well toleratedThickenerthickeneremulsifier
No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.
What it is
PEG-150 distearate is a long polyethylene glycol chain capped at both ends with stearic acid. Those fatty ends associate with each other in water, which thickens the formula. It is used chiefly in surfactant systems such as cleansing gels and wash-off masks.
What it does well
Thickens cleansers without making them sticky
Associative thickeners of this type give a rich, cushioned texture to foaming products that salt alone cannot achieve.
Strong evidence
Where the EU stands
No specific restriction
No EU concentration limit. Ethoxylation residues are covered by Article 17 of the Cosmetics Regulation.
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Article 17 (traces of prohibited substances) · source ↗
