PEG-120 Propylene Glycol Stearate
AKA “Polyethylene Glycol 120 Propylene Glycol Stearate, Emulsifier
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Peg-120 propylene glycol stearate
AKA: Polyethylene Glycol 120 Propylene Glycol Stearate, Emulsifier
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(2-(1-oxooctadecyl)oxy-1-methylethyl)-.omega.-hydroxy- (120 mol EO average molar ratio)
CAS #
-
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Locks In Moisture
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A synthetic compound developed as a multifunctional emulsifier and skin conditioning agent in modern cosmetics. Created to improve texture and spreadability without traditional use.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Unexpected skin barrier influence from nonionic emulsifiers.
Bárány E, Lindberg M, Lodén M
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2000
Unexpected skin barrier influence from nonionic emulsifiers.
Bárány E, Lindberg M, Lodén M
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2000
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-75 Propylene Glycol, PEG-120 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-10 Propylene Glycol, PEG-8 Propylene Glycol Cocoate, and PEG-
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
PEG-120 Propylene Glycol Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-120 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-10
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
Effects of silicone emulsifiers on in vitro skin permeation of sunscreens from cosmetic emulsions.
Montenegro L, Paolino D, Puglisi G
Journal of cosmetic science, 2004
Structure and rheology of semisolid o/w creams containing cetyl alcohol/non-ionic surfactant mixed emulsifier and different polymers.
Ribeiro HM, Morais JA, Eccleston GM
International journal of cosmetic science, 2004
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR