What it is
PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate is built from glycerin esterified with isostearic acid and ethoxylated with about twenty ethylene oxide units. This structure gives it both oil-loving and water-loving regions, letting it emulsify and disperse oils in water-based systems. It also lends a soft, conditioning feel and helps keep emulsions stable.
Safety & warnings
This nonionic emulsifier is generally mild and well tolerated at customary use levels, with low irritation potential. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen. As an ethoxylated material, manufacturers control residual ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane during production.
Origin & sourcing
Semi-synthetic. It combines glycerin, isostearic acid (a branched fatty acid), and synthetically added polyethylene glycol units.
Questions everyone asks
What does PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate do?
It is a nonionic emulsifier that blends oil and water phases and also conditions the skin as an emollient.
Is it ionic or nonionic?
It is a nonionic surfactant, which generally makes it mild and compatible with a wide range of formulas.