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PEG-6
AKA “Polyethylene Glycol 6, Macrogol 6”
Humectant
Ingredient Facts
PEG-6
AKA: Polyethylene Glycol 6, Macrogol 6
Humectant · Humectant · EWG: 2
Synthetic
Humectant
Solvent
Clean
.Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, (6 mol EO average molar ratio)
CAS #
25322-68-3
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.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Polyethylene glycol was synthesized in 1859 and adopted by the cosmetics industry in the 1950s. PEG-6, a low molecular weight version, is used as a humectant and solvent in modern skincare 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
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Final Repoort on the Safety Assessment of PEG-6, -8, -20 Sorbitan Beeswax
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report of the Safety Assessment for PEG-75 Lanolin, PEG-20 Lanolin, PEG-27 Lanolin, PEG-30 Lanolin, PEG-40 Lanolin, PEG-50 Lanolin, PEG-60 Lanolin, and PEG-85 Lanolin (Amended by report in IJT 1
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Almond Oil PEG-6 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Apricot Kernel Oil PEG-6 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Corn Oil PEG-6 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrogenated Palm/Palm Kernel Oil PEG-6 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Olive Oil PEG-6 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Peanut Oil PEG-6 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Almond Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Cocamide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Diisostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Dilaurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Dimethicone
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Dioleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Distearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Hydrogenated Palm/Palm Kernel Glyceride
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Hydrogenated Palmamide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Lauramide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Methyl Ether
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Oleamide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Oleamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Olive Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Propylene Glycol Caprylate/Caprate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Sorbitan Oleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Sorbitan Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-6 Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Castor Oil Isostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Glyceryl Diisostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil PCA Isostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Triisostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Lanolin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Passiflora Incarnata Seed Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Shea Butter Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Sorbitan Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Sorbitan Tetraoleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Sorbitan Tetrastearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-60 Tsubakiate Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-65 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-65M
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PPG-12-PEG-65 Lanolin Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PPG-3-PEG-6 Oleyl Ether
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PPG-40-PEG-60 Lanolin Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Apricot Kernel Oil PEG-6 Esters
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-6
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-6 Cocamide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-6 Methyl Ether
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-6 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-6 Sorbitan Oleate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-6 Sorbitan Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-6 Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-60
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-60 Castor Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-60 Lanolin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-60 Sorbitan Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PPG-12-PEG-65 Lanolin Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
An Investigation of the Influence of PEG 400 and PEG-6-Caprylic/Capric Glycerides on Dermal Delivery of Niacinamide.
Zhang Y, Lane ME, Moore DJ
Polymers, 2020
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR