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PEG-80
AKA “Polyethylene Glycol 80, PEG 80”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
PEG-80
AKA: Polyethylene Glycol 80, PEG 80
Synthetic · Humectant · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Humectant
Solvent
Synthetic
Not Clean
A hydrating ingredient that helps bind moisture to skin and keeps formulas smooth and stable.
CAS #
25322-68-3
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Binding
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 first synthesized in 1859; PEG-80 (an 80-unit polymer) was developed in the mid-20th century as a humectant and solvent for cosmetic formulations.
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
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
PEG-80
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-80 Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-80 Glyceryl Cocoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-80 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-80 Methyl Glucose Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-80 Sorbitan Palmitate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-800
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-80
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-80 Glyceryl Cocoate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Clinical preliminary evaluation of PEG-80 sorbitan laurate (Novisol) versus sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate & triclosan (Septisol) in deep-peeling Hett
Kass LG, Rullan PP, Brody HJ
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2020
→
Clinical preliminary evaluation of PEG-80 sorbitan laurate (Novisol) versus sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate & triclosan (Septisol) in deep-peeling Hett
Kass LG, Rullan PP, Brody HJ
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2020
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR