What Is Peg-6 Dilaurate?
Peg-6 Dilaurate is a synthetic ingredient created by attaching about six units of ethylene oxide to dilauric acid, a fatty acid that naturally occurs in coconut and palm kernel oil. The result is a waxy, off-white substance with both water-loving and oil-loving parts, making it ideal for blending ingredients that normally separate. The cosmetic industry began adopting polyethylene glycol derivatives like Peg-6 Dilaurate in the late twentieth century when formulators needed more reliable, easy-to-use emulsifiers for creams and lotions. Manufacturing involves reacting lauric acid with ethylene oxide under controlled temperature and pressure, then purifying the finished material to remove residual reagents. You can find Peg-6 Dilaurate in facial cleansers, moisturizing lotions, makeup removers, sheet mask essences, lightweight serums, sunscreens and hair conditioners where a smooth stable texture is essential.
Peg-6 Dilaurate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient is prized for a single yet vital role in formulations.
Emulsifying: Peg-6 Dilaurate helps water and oil mix evenly so products stay homogenous from the first pump to the last application. A stable emulsion spreads more easily on skin, delivers active ingredients uniformly and prevents the greasy or separated feel that can happen when oils drift to the surface. By stabilizing the blend it also improves shelf life and reduces the need for heavy waxes, letting brands create lighter, faster-absorbing formulas.
Who Can Use Peg-6 Dilaurate
Peg-6 Dilaurate is generally considered suitable for all skin types including oily, combination, normal and dry because it is used in low concentrations and has a lightweight, non-occlusive finish. Sensitive or compromised skin can usually tolerate it too, although anyone with a known polyethylene glycol allergy should steer clear since this ingredient belongs to that family.
The compound is synthesized from plant-derived lauric acid plus ethylene oxide so it is not animal sourced, making it appropriate for vegans and vegetarians. Always check the full ingredient list because the finished product could contain other non-vegan additives.
Current safety assessments indicate no specific risks for pregnant or breastfeeding women when Peg-6 Dilaurate is used topically at typical cosmetic levels. This is not medical advice and individuals who are pregnant or nursing should ask a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new skincare routine just to be safe.
The molecule does not absorb UV light or make skin more reactive to sunlight, so it is not linked to photosensitivity. It is odourless, colourless once dissolved and compatible with most actives which keeps formula interactions low. In rinse-off products it is even less likely to remain on skin long enough to cause issues.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Peg-6 Dilaurate vary from person to person. The following list covers potential, not guaranteed, effects. When properly formulated the vast majority of users experience none of these issues.
- Mild skin irritation
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitive to polyethylene glycols
- Eye stinging or redness if the product accidentally gets into eyes
- Heightened absorption of other ingredients which could amplify their irritancy
- Very low risk of contamination with trace 1,4-dioxane if manufacturing purification was inadequate
If you experience any of the above discontinue use and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5 – Peg-6 Dilaurate is mostly water-soluble and used at low levels, so it does not linger in pores or form an occlusive film that traps oil and debris. The lauric acid backbone is offset by the polyethylene glycol portion which adds slip without heavy residue, keeping the likelihood of clogging very low. This makes the ingredient generally suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin. There are no published studies linking it to comedones, though individual responses can vary.
Because the molecule rinses away easily in cleansers and is present at only a few percent in leave-ons, its real-world pore-clogging potential remains minimal. Only when combined with multiple rich oils or waxes could the overall formula start feeling heavy.
Summary
Peg-6 Dilaurate serves mainly as an emulsifier, helping water and oil stay blended so creams, lotions and cleansers remain smooth and stable. Its dual nature lets it anchor oily ingredients while extending into the water phase, creating a uniform texture that spreads evenly and improves the delivery of actives.
It is a mid-tier ingredient in popularity: not a headline active yet widely used behind the scenes because it is reliable, inexpensive and compatible with most formulation styles from lightweight serums to milky makeup removers.
Safety reviews find it non-sensitising for the majority of users with only rare irritation or allergy reports. Manufacturing controls further limit impurities like 1,4-dioxane. Still, every skin is unique, so patch testing a new product that includes Peg-6 Dilaurate is a smart precaution before full-face application.