PEG-20 Dilaurate
AKA “Glycol dilaurate, Ethylene dilaurate, Lauric acid, ethylene ester, Ethylene glycol didodecanoate, Dodecanoic acid, 2-ethanediyl ester, NSC-406565”
Synthetic
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Ingredient Facts
Peg-20 dilaurate
AKA: Glycol dilaurate, Ethylene dilaurate, Lauric acid, Ethylene ester, Ethylene glycol didodecanoate, Dodecanoic acid, 2-ethanediyl ester, NSC-406565
Synthetic · Surfactant - Emulsifying | Surfactant - Cleansing · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Synthetic
Not Clean
A gentle emulsifier that blends oil and water together, helping creams and lotions absorb smoothly into skin without feeling greasy.
Formula
C26H50O4
Mol. Weight
426.70
CAS #
9005-02-1
Form
Liquid
Plant-Derived
Synthetic. Derived from polyethylene glycol (PEG) and lauric acid, both petroleum-derived or plant-oil-derived starting materials. Synthesized through esterification of PEG and dilauric acid, then polymerized to create the PEG-20 compound.
Function
Surfactant - Emulsifying | Surfactant - Cleansing
Benefits
Surfactant Emulsifying
Moisturizing
Strengthens Barrier
Mixes oil and water
Traditional Use
Synthetic ester emulsifier developed in the mid-20th century from polyethylene glycol and lauric acid (coconut-derived). Engineered to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions in cosmetics.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Target
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy Safe
Yes
EWG Score4
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval, all-shades-safe, Not a Sensitizer
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR