What Is Peg-20 Mannitan Laurate?
PEG-20 Mannitan Laurate is a plant-derived ingredient made by combining mannitan, a sugar alcohol obtained from corn or beets, with lauric acid that usually comes from coconut or palm oil. Twenty units of ethylene oxide are then attached to the molecule, giving it the PEG-20 part of its name and making it water-loving as well as oil-loving.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) surfactants like this have been used since the 1950s to help cosmetic chemists blend oily and watery ingredients. Over the years formulators noticed that the mannitan and lauric acid version produced a gentle, silky feel, so it started appearing in skin care and hair care lines aiming for a light, non-greasy texture.
The manufacturing process starts with mannitol that is heated to remove water and convert it to mannitan. This mannitan is esterified with lauric acid to form mannitan laurate, which is then reacted with ethylene oxide so that about 20 oxyethylene units attach along the chain. The result is a versatile molecule that dissolves in both oil and water, making it ideal for stable emulsions.
You will typically find PEG-20 Mannitan Laurate in lotions, creams, sunscreens, makeup removers, facial cleansers, masks, light gel moisturizers and sprayable emulsions where a smooth, fast-absorbing finish is desired.
Peg-20 Mannitan Laurate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In a cosmetic formula this ingredient plays one main role:
As an emulsifier it pulls together oil and water into a uniform mixture, preventing the product from separating on the shelf or on your skin. A well-built emulsion spreads more evenly, feels smoother and delivers active ingredients more consistently. This also lets brands create lighter textures with less greasy after-feel, which many users prefer for daily wear.
Who Can Use Peg-20 Mannitan Laurate
This emulsifier is considered gentle enough for all skin types, including oily, combination, normal and dry. Its light texture and low fatty acid load make it unlikely to clog pores or leave a heavy film, so even acne-prone or sensitive skin usually tolerates it well. There are no known concerns specific to mature skin or deeper complexions.
Because the mannitan comes from corn or beet sugar and the lauric acid is sourced from coconut or palm oil, Peg-20 Mannitan Laurate is plant-derived and contains no animal by-products. That means it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians, provided the finished product as a whole has been certified cruelty-free by the manufacturer.
No research indicates that topical use poses a risk to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, but this is not medical advice. Anyone who is expecting or nursing should let their doctor review the full ingredient list of any skin care product before use to be extra cautious.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to the sun, so it is not considered photosensitising. It also plays well with most other cosmetic ingredients and is stable across a wide pH range, making incompatibilities rare.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to Peg-20 Mannitan Laurate differ from person to person. The points below list possible but uncommon side effects that may occur when the ingredient is applied to the skin. Assuming the product is well formulated most users will experience none of these issues.
- Mild redness or stinging on very sensitive skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals already allergic to polyethylene glycol compounds
- Transient eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Very slight dryness in people whose skin is already compromised or heavily stripped
- Potential exposure to trace 1,4-dioxane residuals if the manufacturer has not adequately purified the ingredient
If any discomfort, rash or persistent irritation develops stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5
Peg-20 Mannitan Laurate is primarily a water-soluble emulsifier with very little free lauric acid, so it does not behave like a heavy fatty ester that can block pores. It is used at low percentages and leaves minimal residue once the product is absorbed. Because of this the chance of it trapping oil or dead skin cells inside a pore is slim.
For most people who are prone to acne or breakouts this ingredient should be well tolerated.
Formulas that pair it with large amounts of thicker oils or waxes could still feel heavy, so overall pore-clogging risk comes from the whole product, not just this single ingredient.
Summary
Peg-20 Mannitan Laurate is a plant-derived emulsifier that lets water and oil stay evenly mixed, giving lotions and creams a smooth, non-greasy feel and helping actives spread uniformly across skin. It has a gentle touch, resists separation across a wide pH range and rinses away easily.
The ingredient is moderately popular; you will spot it in modern lightweight moisturizers and cleansers but it is not as common as some classic PEG emulsifiers, partly because newer brands often opt for completely PEG-free labels.
Safety profiles from cosmetic panels rate it as low risk with irritation or allergy appearing only in rare cases. While it sits at a low 1 on the comedogenic scale and is generally safe, it is always smart to patch test any new product to confirm your own skin’s response.