PEG-75 Lanolin

TL;DR. This ingredient primarily acts as a nonionic solubilizer and emulsifier, helping oils, waxy lipids, and fragrance materials disperse into water-based formulas. It can also add a mild conditioning and refatting feel in cleansers and hair products.

What does PEG-75 Lanolin do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient primarily acts as a nonionic solubilizer and emulsifier, helping oils, waxy lipids, and fragrance materials disperse into water-based formulas. It can also add a mild conditioning and refatting feel in cleansers and hair products.

Is PEG-75 Lanolin clean?

From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient has friction because it is ethoxylated and animal-derived. The main screening points are residual ethoxylation byproducts, trace impurities, and sensitivity in people reactive to animal-derived wax fractions.

Is PEG-75 Lanolin sustainable?

This material starts from an animal-derived lipid stream, often a byproduct of wool processing, then is chemically modified with petrochemical-derived inputs. Its biodegradability and renewable-feedstock profile are weaker than simpler plant-derived emulsifiers or fatty alcohols.

Is PEG-75 Lanolin COSMOS-approved?

This ingredient is not permitted in COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic formulations because ethoxylated materials are outside the standard. Its Green Chemistry fit is limited by petrochemical processing, possible residual byproducts, and only partial renewable origin.

How does PEG-75 Lanolin work chemically?

The molecule is a nonionic amphiphile made by attaching a high average number of oxyethylene units to a complex animal-lipid mixture, which increases water dispersibility and solubilizing power. Typical use is often around 0.5% to 5% depending on whether it is supporting clarity, emulsification, or conditioning, and it is generally stable across mildly acidic to neutral personal-care pH ranges.

Last updated 2026-05-13