PEG-100 STEARATE

Description: PEG-100 STEARATE — emulsifier.

All Functions: emulsifier

Quick Facts:

• Category: surfactant

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• PEG-100 Stearate is an emulsifier studied in formulations designed for sensitive or damaged skin
• In research, formulations containing this ingredient showed improved skin barrier function in lab testing
• The ingredient was tested as part of basic skincare therapy products, not standalone treatments
• Research is limited; this ingredient was studied in combination with other components, not in isolation

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🧪 PEG-100 STEARATE

PEG-100 STEARATE

CAS Number: 9004-99-3

Also Known As: —

Category: surfactant

Korean Name: 피이지-100스테아레이트

Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxooctadecyl)-.omega.-hydroxy- (100 mol EO average molar ratio)

PEG-100 STEARATE is a surfactant ingredient used in skincare formulations.

🌍 Regulatory Status

📊 Comedogenicity

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

PEG-100 Stearate (polyethylene glycol 100 stearyl ether) is an emulsifier—a substance that helps oil and water mix together in creams. In one 2025 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, researchers tested skincare formulations containing this ingredient to see how well they worked for damaged or compromised skin. The study examined #1: skin barrier function using laboratory testing on porcine (pig) skin samples. When skin was deliberately damaged with sodium lauryl sulfate (a harsh detergent), treatment with formulations containing PEG-100 Stearate showed improved barrier recovery compared to untreated damaged skin, as measured by both dye staining and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL)—a standard way to measure how much water escapes through the skin (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2025).

However, it’s important to note that #2: the formulations tested contained multiple ingredients working together, so the benefit cannot be attributed to PEG-100 Stearate alone. The research also confirmed that #3: formulations with this ingredient had a gel-like, viscoelastic texture and thickness comparable to existing commercial products (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2025). The overall conclusion was that these formulations showed potential for basic skin therapy, particularly for chronic skin conditions, though the evidence comes from controlled laboratory conditions rather than studies on living human skin.

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

🧴 Products Containing PEG-100 STEARATE

• Skintec Advance Incorporated KERATIN plus Gold
• Simple Regeneration Age Resisting Day Cream
• Leo Bancroft Blissfully Bouncy Volumising Conditioner
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash
• Body Shop Canneberge givrée beurre corporel
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop ALMOND MILK & HONEY For Sensitive, Dry Skin
• Christophe Robin Scrub lavant purifiant
• Monte dos bens Creme para mãos
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 10 Ekstra Lys Blond
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Excellence 9 Meget Lys Blond
• Ponds
• Crema de masajes
• ALOE gel d’aloe vera
• The fruit company Crema de manos
• V. V LOVE SHINING LOVE BODY LOTION PACK
• LILLEBORG AS Dr Greve Aloe Vera Body Lotion 200ml
• apoteket Sollotion SPF 30
• apoteket Sollotion SPF 30
• Vogue Vogue Colorissimo
• keri moisturising lotion

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Schoenfelder H et al. (2025). Development and characterization of topical formulation for maintenance therapy containing sorbitan monostearate with and without PEG-100-stearate. Int J Cosmet Sci.