PEG-75 is a polyethylene glycol-based cosmetic ingredient identified by the INCI name PEG-75. It belongs to the Polyethylene Glycols family and is used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations primarily for its humectant and solvent properties, with additional binding and fragrance-functional applications.
The number “75” refers to the average number of ethylene oxide-derived molecular units in the polyethylene glycol material. PEG-75 therefore represents an average polymeric composition rather than a single molecular species in which every molecule contains exactly 75 units.
PEG-75 is a highly hydrophilic material that can support moisture retention, solubilization and formulation consistency. It can be considered for skincare, haircare, toners, hair tonics, creams and other personal-care formulations according to the selected commercial grade.
PEG-75 belongs to the Polyethylene Glycols family. PEG materials are condensation/polymerization products associated with ethylene glycol and ethylene oxide and contain molecular species distributed around a stated average.
The principal functions associated with PEG-75 include:
PEG-75 can hold and retain moisture in cosmetic formulations and can dissolve or assist in incorporating selected formulation ingredients. Its hydrophilic nature also makes it useful in water-compatible systems.
PEG-75 should be distinguished from ingredients where “PEG-75” forms only part of the INCI name. PEG-75 Castor Oil, PEG-75 Lanolin, PEG-75 Cocoa Butter Glycerides, PEG-75 Laurate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides and PEG-75 Distearate are chemically different ingredients.
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | PEG-75 |
| INCI Name | PEG-75 |
| Chemical Family | Polyethylene Glycols |
| Chemical Type | Polyethylene glycol |
| Average Molecular Units | Approximately 75 |
| Synonyms | Polyethylene Glycol 75, Polyoxyethylene 75 |
| Physical State | Grade-dependent; typically wax-like or semi-solid |
| Appearance | Typically white to off-white or translucent waxy material; grade-dependent |
| Origin | Synthetic |
| Water Compatibility | Water-soluble / hydrophilic |
| Primary Functions | Humectant, Solvent |
| Additional Functions | Binding, Fragrance Functional |
| Molecular Weight | Average/distribution-dependent |
| Molecular Composition | Average polymeric composition |
| Commercial Grade | Grade-specific |
| CAS Number | Verify against exact commercial grade |
PEG-75 can help hold and retain moisture in cosmetic formulations. Its hydrophilic polyethylene glycol structure provides affinity for water and supports hydration-oriented products.
PEG-75 can dissolve or assist in incorporating selected ingredients into suitable cosmetic systems. This makes it useful when a water-compatible solvent or solubilization component is required.
PEG-75 can contribute to cohesion in selected cosmetic products, particularly formulations where binding or consistency support is required.
PEG-75 can function as a supporting ingredient in perfume-containing formulations and can assist in incorporating compatible fragrance materials.
Higher-molecular-weight PEG materials can contribute to formulation consistency and texture. The exact contribution depends on the commercial grade and the complete formulation.
PEG-75 can be considered for:
Potential applications include:
PEG-75 can be considered for:
Higher-molecular-weight PEG materials can contribute to the consistency of creams and other formulation bases. PEG-75 may therefore be evaluated as part of systems requiring both hydrophilic and consistency-supporting characteristics.
The “75” represents an average molecular-unit value. It does not mean that every molecule contains exactly 75 ethylene oxide units.
PEG-75 has a distribution of molecular species around its average value. The molecular-weight characteristics should therefore be controlled according to the selected commercial grade.
As the average degree of polymerization increases, PEG materials generally become more viscous and progressively more solid or wax-like. The actual physical form of PEG-75 depends on grade and temperature.
PEG-75 is hydrophilic and water-compatible, although water solubility and hygroscopicity generally decrease as PEG molecular size increases.
The appropriate use level should be established through formulation development and compatibility testing.
Compatibility should be assessed with:
The finished formulation pH should be evaluated according to the complete formulation rather than assigning a universal pH value to PEG-75.
Depending on the commercial grade, quality evaluation may include:
PEG-40: Lower average molecular-unit value than PEG-75.
PEG-75: Average value of approximately 75.
PEG-80: Higher average molecular-unit value than PEG-75.
PEG-75 Castor Oil: A castor-oil-derived PEG ingredient and chemically different from plain PEG-75. CIR separately identifies PEG-75 Castor Oil.
PEG-75 Cocoa Butter Glycerides: A PEG-modified cocoa butter glyceride ingredient and chemically different from PEG-75.
PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides: A PEG-modified shea butter glyceride ingredient and chemically different from PEG-75.
PEG-75 Lanolin: A PEG-modified lanolin ingredient and chemically different from PEG-75.
These distinctions are important when selecting cosmetic ingredients and preparing accurate technical, regulatory and product-page information.
Swapnroop provides cosmetic ingredient solutions for manufacturers and formulators developing skincare, haircare and personal-care products.
PEG-75 can be considered for formulations requiring a higher-average-molecular-size polyethylene glycol material with humectant, solvent and binding functionality. The selected commercial grade should be evaluated according to molecular-weight characteristics, physical form, viscosity, purity and intended application.
For bulk procurement and formulation development, customers should review the applicable COA, TDS and product specification for the exact PEG-75 grade.
PEG-75 is a polyethylene glycol cosmetic ingredient with an average value of approximately 75 ethylene oxide-derived molecular units.
The INCI name is PEG-75.
PEG-75 is associated primarily with humectant and solvent functions. It also has binding and fragrance-functional applications.
The number 75 refers to the average number of ethylene oxide-derived molecular units in the polyethylene glycol material.
PEG materials are water-soluble and hydrophilic, although water solubility generally decreases with increasing molecular size. The exact behavior should be confirmed for the commercial grade.
PEG-75 is generally a higher-molecular-weight PEG and can be wax-like or semi-solid depending on grade and temperature.
No. PEG-75 Castor Oil is a castor-oil-derived PEG ingredient and has a different chemical identity.
No. PEG-75 Lanolin is a PEG-modified lanolin ingredient and is chemically different from plain PEG-75.
No. PEG-75 Cocoa Butter Glycerides is a PEG-modified glyceride ingredient and is chemically different from plain PEG-75.
No. PEG-75 represents an average polymeric composition, so its molecular-weight distribution is grade-dependent.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to light-yellow liquid or oily liquid |