What it is
PEG-75 is a polyethylene glycol made of about 75 repeating ethylene oxide units, giving it a higher molecular weight than the small liquid PEGs. It is water-soluble and acts mainly as a humectant that helps retain moisture, while also conditioning the skin and contributing to formula texture. Because of its larger size it is a soft, waxy to semi-solid material rather than a thin liquid.
Safety & warnings
PEG-75 is widely used and generally well tolerated. As with other PEGs, purification controls trace manufacturing impurities. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen and is not considered comedogenic.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic, produced by the polymerization of ethylene oxide.
Questions everyone asks
How is PEG-75 different from PEG-400?
PEG-75 has many more ethylene oxide units and a higher molecular weight, so it is a softer, waxier material, while PEG-400 is a thin liquid.
What does PEG-75 do in skin care?
It acts as a humectant that helps the formula retain moisture and conditions the skin surface.