Ingredient library
Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2402 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.
A polyethylene glycol of MW ~1540 Da. Similar to PEG-1500. Used as a humectant and binder in Curel's gentle toner formulation.
A very high molecular weight polyethylene glycol. Used as a thickening and binding agent in cleansers and other skincare products.
A low-ethoxylation PEG ester of castor oil used as a mild solubilizer and emulsifier to disperse oil-soluble ingredients, fragrances, and actives into aqueous cosmetic formulas.
A medium-chain polyethylene glycol (~20 ethylene oxide units, ~880 Da) used as a humectant and solvent to hydrate skin and improve formula texture.
A PEG ether of behenyl alcohol (C22 fatty alcohol) with 20 ethylene oxide units. Used as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent in creams and lotions.
A polyethylene glycol (20 EO) ester of glyceryl isostearate. Lower-EO counterpart to PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate; used as an emulsifier and oil-solubiliser in lotions and serums.
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a PEG-modified glyceryl ester of isostearic acid used as the primary emulsifier in cleansing balms and cleansing oils. It enables the characteristic phase-inversion behavior of balm cleansers: the anhydrous product is oil-continuous (dissolves makeup/sebum), then upon contact with water it self-emulsifies into a milky wash-off emulsion. Its medium-chain PEG20 hydrophilic portion provides good rinseability while the triisostearate portion anchors in the oil phase.
A PEG ether of hydrogenated castor oil with approximately 20 ethylene oxide units. Commonly used to solubilize fragrances, essential oils, and other lipophilic ingredients in water-based formulations.
A methyl glucose ether modified with 20 ethylene oxide units. Functions as a water-soluble humectant and emollient. Provides a silky skin feel in toners and essences.
A PEG-20 ether of sorbitan isostearate. Used as a gentle emulsifier in Kiku-Masamune's sake emulsion.
A PEG ether of sorbitan stearate with 20 ethylene oxide units. Similar to polysorbate 60. Used as a gentle emulsifier in Curel's sensitive formulations.
A polyethylene glycol derivative of hydrogenated glyceryl palmitate used as a surfactant and cleansing agent.
A very high-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol (MW ~20,000 Da). A solid wax-like material used as a thickener and binder in cosmetics.
A copolymer of PEG-22 and dodecyl glycol used as a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in creams and serums.
A synthetic PEG-based associative thickener and emulsifier formed by reacting polyethylene glycol with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and capped with ethoxylated fatty alcohol chains, used to build viscosity and stabilize emulsions.
A PEG ester of stearic acid with approximately 25 ethylene oxide units. Used as a non-ionic emulsifier in O/W emulsions. Good skin compatibility.
PEG-2M is a very high molecular weight polyethylene glycol polymer (~2,000,000 daltons) used as a film-former and rheology modifier in cosmetics. At the ultra-high molecular weight of 2M, it forms a lightweight, non-tacky film rather than acting as a humectant like lower molecular weight PEGs. Used at trace concentrations in ampoule formulas to contribute a smooth, substantive texture.
A silicone-PEG copolymer with short PEG-3 chains that acts as an emulsifier and slip agent, imparting a lightweight silky feel to creams and lotions.
A mid-chain polyethylene glycol used as a humectant and solvent in skincare. PEG-30 is water-soluble and helps retain moisture while improving product texture.
A PEG-modified dipolyhydroxystearate emulsifier used to stabilize water-in-oil emulsions, commonly found in sunscreens and high-SPF formulations.
A PEG ester of phytosterol (plant-derived sterol). Combines the emolliency and barrier-restoring properties of phytosterols with the water-solubility of PEG chains. Used as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent.
A medium-chain polyethylene glycol (MW ~1450 Da) that acts as a humectant, solvent, and consistency agent in lotions and creams. Well-tolerated; used in Japanese toners and emulsions.
A polyethylene glycol ester of castor oil (non-hydrogenated) used as a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in cosmetic formulas.
A polyethylene glycol derivative of hydrogenated castor oil used as a mild, nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in cosmetic formulas.