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PEG-40
AKA “Polyethylene Glycol 40, Polyoxyethylene 40”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
PEG-40
AKA: Polyethylene Glycol 40, Polyoxyethylene 40
Synthetic · Humectant · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Humectant
Emulsifier
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
Helps products absorb moisture into skin and keeps formulas blended smoothly. Works to maintain hydration and improve product texture.
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.
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
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
Synthetic polyethylene glycol polymer developed in the mid-20th century. Used as a solvent, humectant, and viscosity modifier in cosmetics to improve texture and hydration.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe w/Qualifications
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
CANADA✔ permitted
Regulatory Agencies
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
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate; PEG-40 Sorbitan Diisostearate; PEG-2, -5, and -20 Sorbitan Isostearate; PEG-40 and -75 Sorbitan Lanolate; PEG-10, -40, -44, -75, and -
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Apricot Kernel Oil PEG-40 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Methoxy PEG-40
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Distearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil PCA Isostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Triisostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Lanolin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Jojoba Alcohol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Lanolin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Methyl Ether
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Olive Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Diisostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Lanolate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Oleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Perisostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Peroleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Tetraoleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Soy Sterol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-40 Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-400
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Wheat Germ Oil PEG-40 Butyloctanol Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Apricot Kernel Oil PEG-40 Esters
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-40
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-40 Castor Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-40 Lanolin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Perisostearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Peroleate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-40 Sorbitan Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-40 Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-400
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Comparative Study of Glyceryl Behenate or Polyoxyethylene 40 Stearate-Based Lipid Carriers for Trans-Resveratrol Delivery: Development, Characterizati
Fachinetti N, Rigon RB, Eloy JO, Sato MR, Dos Santos KC et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2018
→
Comparative Study of Glyceryl Behenate or Polyoxyethylene 40 Stearate-Based Lipid Carriers for Trans-Resveratrol Delivery: Development, Characterizati
Fachinetti N, Rigon RB, Eloy JO, Sato MR, Dos Santos KC et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2018
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR