PEG-15 Cocamine
AKA “Polyethylene Glycol 15 Cocamine, Conditioning Agent
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Peg-15 cocamine
AKA: Polyethylene Glycol 15 Cocamine, Conditioning Agent
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 2
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Clean
Amines, coco alkyl, ethoxylated (15 mol EO average molar ratio)
Effective at 1.05%
CAS #
61791-14-8
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
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic emulsifier and surfactant derived from coconut oil. Coconut has traditional use in South Asian skincare, but this PEG-modified version was created to enhance solubility and conditioning properties in cosmetic formulations.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.8%
1.3%
0%2%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.8-1.3
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
PEG-15 Cocamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Protective effect of conditioning agents on Afro-ethnic hair chemically treated with thioglycolate-based straightening emulsion.
Dias TC, Baby AR, Kaneko TM, Velasco MV
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2008
Protective effect of conditioning agents on Afro-ethnic hair chemically treated with thioglycolate-based straightening emulsion.
Dias TC, Baby AR, Kaneko TM, Velasco MV
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2008
Protective effect of conditioning agents on Afro-ethnic hair chemically treated with thioglycolate-based straightening emulsion.
Dias TC, Baby AR, Kaneko TM, Velasco MV
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2008
Protective effect of conditioning agents on Afro-ethnic hair chemically treated with thioglycolate-based straightening emulsion.
Dias TC, Baby AR, Kaneko TM, Velasco MV
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2008
Protective effect of conditioning agents on Afro-ethnic hair chemically treated with thioglycolate-based straightening emulsion.
Dias TC, Baby AR, Kaneko TM, Velasco MV
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2008
PEG-15 Cocamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
b) As a conditioning agent in rinse-off hair care products, (i.e. benzalkonium chloride with chain lengths ≥ 16 C).
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR