murphyPEG-4 Distearyl Ether
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Polyethylene glycol 4 distearyl ether
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
OriginDerived from stearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol typically sourced from vegetable oils like palm or coconut. Produced through ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide is chemically bonded to stearyl alcohol molecules.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-octadecyl-omega-octadecyloxy- (4 mol EO average molar ratio)
CAS #
9002-92-0; 68439-50-9; 5274-68-0; 9004-95-9; 9005-00-9; 4536-30-5; 3055-93-4; 3055-94-5; 3055-95-6
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Opacifying
Plasticiser
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Concentration Guide
CIR's newest survey reports no concentration of use.
CIR · report published 2012
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR