PEG-20
Well toleratedHumectanthumectantsolvent
No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.
Also written as: Polyethylene glycol 1000 · Macrogol 1000
What it is
PEG-20 is a polyethylene glycol with about twenty ethylene oxide units, semi-solid at room temperature and fully water-soluble. It is used to adjust the feel and viscosity of a formula and to keep water-soluble ingredients in solution.
What it does well
Adjusts texture and holds ingredients in solution
Medium-length PEGs are routine, low-irritation formulation aids rather than active ingredients.
Moderate 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 ↗
