PEG-3 Cocamide
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Polyethylene Glycol 3 Cocamide, PEG 3 Cocamide
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Clean
Fatty acids, coco, reaction products with ethanolamine, ethoxylated
CAS #
61791-08-0
Functions
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.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Coconut oil (cocos) has been used traditionally in tropical cultures for skin and hair care for centuries. This synthetic surfactant was developed in the 20th century to create a gentler, water-soluble cleanser based on coconut derivatives.
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Dermal absorption: 100%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 772).
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR