PEG-20 Stearate
AKA “Ethylene glycol monostearate, Glycol stearate, 111-60-4, 2-Hydroxyethyl octadecanoate, Monthybase, Monthyle, Parastarin, Ivorit, Sedetol, Glycol monostearate
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Peg-20 stearate
AKA: Ethylene glycol monostearate, Glycol stearate, 111-60-4, 2-Hydroxyethyl octadecanoate, Monthybase, Monthyle, Parastarin, Ivorit, Sedetol, Glycol monostearate
Surfactant · Humectant · EWG: 2
Plant-Derived
Humectant
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Clean
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxooctadecyl)-.omega.-hydroxy- (20 mol EO average molar ratio)
Solubility POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL ESTERS AND ETHERS INCR THE WATER SOLUBILITY OF TYROTHRICIN.
Formula
C20H40O3
Mol. Weight
328.50
CAS #
9004-99-3
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
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.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Synthesized in the mid-20th century as a water-soluble emulsifier derived from stearic acid and polyethylene glycol. Created to replace traditional plant-based emulsifiers in cosmetic formulations requiring improved stability and consistency.
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
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Glycol Stearate, Glycol Stearate SE, and Glycol Distearate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
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
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Propylene Glycol Stearate and Propylene Glycol Stearate Self-Emulsifying
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Glycol Stearate and Glycol Stearate SE
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Glycol Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Glycol Stearate SE
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG-120 Propylene Glycol Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG-20 Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG-75 Propylene Glycol Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Propylene Glycol Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Propylene Glycol Stearate SE
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Glycol Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
PEG-20 Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Propylene Glycol Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Propylene Glycol Stearate SE
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
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
Glycol Stearate and Glycol Stearate SE.
Tucker R, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2023
Glycol Stearate and Glycol Stearate SE.
Tucker R, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2023
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR