Peg-10 Stearamine: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: July 1, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Peg-10 Stearamine?

Peg-10 Stearamine is a synthetic ingredient created by attaching roughly ten units of ethylene oxide to stearamine, a compound that comes from stearic acid found in sources like coconut oil, palm oil or animal fat. The result is an ethoxylated amine that mixes an oil-loving tail (the stearic part) with a water-friendly head (the PEG part). This balance lets it act a bit like a bridge between oil and water.

Chemists first started adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains to fatty amines in the mid-20th century when they were looking for gentler alternatives to harsh detergents. Over time the cosmetic world adopted Peg-10 Stearamine because it could soften hair, reduce static cling and help water and oils blend smoothly.

Manufacturing begins with stearic acid that is converted to stearylamine. This amine is then reacted with ethylene oxide in a controlled setting, adding about ten ethoxy groups. Each batch is purified and tested for residual substances before heading to formulators.

You will most often spot Peg-10 Stearamine in rinse-off hair conditioners, shampoos, leave-in creams, styling products, body lotions, facial moisturizers and some wash-off masks where it improves texture and gives a silky after-feel.

Peg-10 Stearamine’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

Formulators choose Peg-10 Stearamine for two main reasons

  • Antistatic: It carries a slight positive charge that clings to the negatively charged surface of hair fibers. This helps neutralize static electricity so hair lies flat looks smoother and is easier to comb
  • Emulsifying: Its dual nature lets it pull oil and water together into a stable mixture. This keeps creams shampoos and masks from separating which means a consistent texture and even delivery of active ingredients

Who Can Use Peg-10 Stearamine

Peg-10 Stearamine is generally considered friendly to most skin and hair types. Its low irritation profile means dry, balanced, oily and mature skins can usually handle it without issue. Those with highly sensitive or allergy-prone skin should still keep an eye out for redness or itching because the amine portion can occasionally trigger a reaction in very reactive individuals.

Whether the ingredient fits a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle depends on how the stearic acid was sourced. If it comes from coconut or palm oil it is plant-based, but if it comes from tallow it is animal-derived. Finished products rarely specify the origin, so strict vegans and vegetarians may want to contact the brand for confirmation.

No specific warnings link Peg-10 Stearamine to pregnancy or breastfeeding problems. It is not known to penetrate deeply nor to disrupt hormones. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should run the formula past a qualified health professional before use just to be safe.

The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it is not viewed as photosensitising. It is also odorless and compatible with common actives like vitamin C, niacinamide and most preservatives, which gives formulators a wide safety margin.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Side effects from topical Peg-10 Stearamine vary from person to person. The points below describe potential reactions, but most users will not experience them when the product has been properly formulated.

  • Skin irritation such as mild redness stinging or itching, particularly on compromised or freshly exfoliated skin
  • Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals who are sensitive to fatty amines
  • Eye irritation if the raw material or a high-concentration formula accidentally gets into the eyes
  • Product build-up on hair which may leave strands feeling heavy or greasy when used in excess
  • Trace contamination with 1,4-dioxane or residual ethylene oxide if the ingredient was not adequately purified, though reputable manufacturers keep these well below safety limits

If you notice any persistent irritation or other unwanted effects stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 1/5. Peg-10 Stearamine is largely water-dispersible thanks to its polyethylene glycol side, so it rinses away rather than sitting in pores. While the stearic tail has a fatty character that could theoretically contribute to clogging, the level used in most hair and skin formulas is low and the molecule’s surfactant nature keeps it mobile in water. For these reasons it earns a low score of 1.

This means the ingredient is generally acceptable for people who tend to break out, though highly acne-prone individuals may still prefer lighter leave-on products.

Keep in mind that overall formula design and how thoroughly a product is rinsed off matter more than the single ingredient when it comes to pore blockage.

Summary

Peg-10 Stearamine works as an antistatic agent and an emulsifier. Its positively charged amine head latches onto the negatively charged surface of hair strands to calm flyaways while its oil-loving tail and water-friendly PEG chain let it pull oil and water together so creams and shampoos stay smooth and uniform.

It is a niche helper rather than a headline star so you will spot it in the ingredient list of conditioners and lotions but rarely on marketing banners. Even so, formulators appreciate its reliable performance and mildness.

Safety profiles from both industry and independent panels show low irritation potential and minimal contamination risks when the raw material is properly purified. As with any new product do a quick patch test before full use to make sure it meshes with your personal skin chemistry.

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