What Is Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine?
Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine is a mouthful of a name for a surfactant made from tallow, the fat that comes from beef or mutton. The tallow is first hydrogenated to make the fatty chains more stable, then turned into an amine and finally reacted with about thirty units of ethylene oxide. This process gives the material the ability to mix oil and water, which is why it shows up in personal care formulas.
Surfactants based on tallow have been around since the middle of the twentieth century when chemists were looking for affordable raw materials for soaps and detergents. As interest in milder, more skin-friendly cleansers grew, manufacturers started adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains to tallow-based molecules. The result was ingredients like Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine that clean gently while helping formulas stay smooth and uniform.
Although the base ingredient is traditionally animal derived, some suppliers now offer blends that use hydrogenated plant oils processed in the same way for brands that prefer to avoid animal sources.
You will most often spot Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine in daily rinse-off items such as facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos and conditioners. It can also appear in cream or lotion emulsions where extra stability and a light cleansing boost are needed, as well as in makeup removers and cleansing wipes.
Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In a formula Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine pulls double duty:
- Cleansing. Its surfactant nature grabs onto dirt, oil and leftover makeup then allows them to rinse away with water. This helps leave skin or hair feeling fresh without a heavy residue
- Emulsifying. It keeps oil and water phases from separating so creams, lotions and two-in-one products stay creamy and even from the first pump to the last
Who Can Use Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine
This surfactant is generally mild enough for normal, oily and combination skin. Dry or easily irritated skin can usually handle it as well because it is less stripping than many traditional detergents, though formulas that pair it with high levels of harsher cleansers may still leave delicate skin feeling tight. People with highly sensitive or compromised skin should read the full ingredient list of a product and choose options designed for sensitive skin just to be safe.
The raw material is normally made from animal tallow so it is not suitable for vegans or strict vegetarians. Some suppliers do offer plant based versions processed in the same way; if a brand clearly states that its source is vegetable derived then those products can fit a vegan lifestyle.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women are not known to face extra risks from topical exposure to Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine. This ingredient stays on the surface and is rinsed away in most products. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should show new skin or hair products to a doctor before use to be on the safe side.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to the sun so no extra sunscreen measures are needed beyond normal daily protection.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Side effects from Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine differ from person to person. The points below describe potential reactions, but most users will not notice any problems when the ingredient is used correctly in a well formulated product.
- Skin irritation such as redness stinging or dryness
- Allergic contact dermatitis in people who are sensitive to tallow derivatives or PEGs
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Build up on hair leading to a weighed down feel if used in very high concentrations or not rinsed well
If any of these effects occur stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5 (very low)
Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine is highly water soluble and designed to lift away oil and debris rather than leave a film behind. Because it rinses off easily and contains little free fatty material, it poses a minimal risk of blocking pores. Most people prone to acne or breakouts can use products containing this ingredient without added concern, provided the overall formula is lightweight and non-greasy. Very sensitive or reactive skin types might still watch for irritation, but true pore clogging is unlikely.
Summary
Peg-30 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine is a dual-purpose workhorse that cleanses by surrounding dirt and oil so they wash away with water and stabilises emulsions so lotions, creams and two-in-one products stay smooth. It shows up most in everyday shampoos, body washes and face cleansers, quietly doing its job without the spotlight that trendier ingredients get.
Safety data and long use history point to a low irritation profile, especially in rinse-off formats. While serious reactions are rare, skin is personal so it is always smart to patch test any new product containing this or any other ingredient before making it a staple.