Propylene Glycol Oleate SE
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Propylene Glycol Oleate Self-Emulsifying
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Clean
9-(Z)-Octadecenoic acid, reaction products with 1,2,3-propanetriol, neutralized
Effective at 1.0%
CAS #
-
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
Brightens Skin
Reduces Inflammation
Wound Healing
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Synthetic ester developed as a self-emulsifying emollient for cosmetics. The 'SE' designation indicates it contains surfactants for improved emulsifying ability in formulations.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
9.9e-05%
2.0%
0%14%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.000099-2
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR