PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer used mainly in cleansing oils, oil gels, and makeup removers. It helps oily soils disperse into water so the formula rinses more cleanly.
What does PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer used mainly in cleansing oils, oil gels, and makeup removers. It helps oily soils disperse into water so the formula rinses more cleanly.
Is PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE clean?
It has clean-standard friction because it is an ethoxylated material, with scrutiny around residual ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane controls. Skin tolerance is generally good for a nonionic emulsifier when impurities are well managed.
Is PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE sustainable?
It combines a fatty-acid portion that may be vegetable-derived with a petrochemical ethoxylate portion. It is expected to biodegrade more readily than silicone fluids, but its processing route and ethoxylated chain keep its environmental profile compromised.
Is PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE COSMOS-approved?
This ingredient is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because it is made using ethoxylation. Its Green Chemistry fit is limited by petrochemical feedstock use and impurity-management needs, even though the fatty-acid portion can be renewable.
How does PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE work chemically?
The molecule is a nonionic ester with a glycerol core, three branched C18 fatty-acid chains, and about 20 oxyethylene units, giving high oil compatibility plus water-dispersibility. It is commonly used around 1 to 10% in cleansing oils and makeup removers, is broadly pH-tolerant because it is nonionic, and can hydrolyze slowly under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions.
Last updated 2026-05-13