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PEG-20
AKA “Polyethylene glycol 20, PEG 20”
Humectant
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Ingredient Facts
PEG-20
AKA: Polyethylene glycol 20, PEG 20
Humectant · Humectant · EWG: 2
Synthetic
Humectant
Solvent
Clean
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, (20 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 polymer developed in the mid-20th century for use as a humectant and thickening agent. Now widely used in cosmetics as a water-binding ingredient and product stabilizer.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dehydration
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 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
→
Bis-PEG-20 Dimethicone
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Almond Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Cocamide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Cocamide MEA
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Cocamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Corn Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Dilaurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Dioleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Distearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Evening Primrose Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Glyceryl Diisostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil PCA Isostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Triisostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Lanolin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Lanolin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Distearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquicaprylate/Sesquicaprate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquilaurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Oleamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Sorbitan Oleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Sorbitan Triisostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Tallow Amine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20 Tsubakiate Glycerides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-200
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-200 Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20M
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PPG-20-PEG-20 Hydrogenated Lanolin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Rapeseed Oil PEG-20 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Soybean Oil PEG-20 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Almond Glycerides
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Castor Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Lanolin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Distearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Sorbitan Beeswax
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Sorbitan Oleate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-200
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-200 Castor Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PPG-20-PEG-20 Hydrogenated Lanolin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR