Peg-7 Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter Glyceryl Esters: 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-7 Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter Glyceryl Esters?

Peg-7 Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter Glyceryl Esters is a plant-based ingredient that starts with cupuaçu seed butter obtained from the fruit of Theobroma grandiflorum, a tree that grows in the Amazon. Chemists first react the butter with glycerin, swapping parts of the molecules in a process called transesterification. They then add about seven units of ethylene oxide, which ties the butter to small water-loving pieces. The end result keeps much of the rich fatty feel of cupuaçu butter but now mixes more easily with water.

The use of cupuaçu butter in beauty formulas grew in the early 2000s when brands looked for tropical butters that could rival shea or cocoa. Turning it into a Peg-7 ester made it even more attractive because formulators could slip it into light lotions, sprays and cleansers without the heaviness that pure butter can bring.

Today you will see Peg-7 Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter Glyceryl Esters in moisturizers, face and body lotions, anti-aging creams, cleansing balms, hair masks, leave-in conditioners, lip balms and even in some makeup items like creamy foundations or sticks. Its balanced oil-and-water nature lets it smooth the skin while keeping formulas stable and easy to spread.

Peg-7 Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter Glyceryl Esters’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

In a formula this ingredient mainly does two jobs that work hand in hand to leave skin or hair feeling comfortable and well cared for.

  • Skin Conditioning: Helps soften and smooth the skin surface, giving an immediate silky touch while supporting long-term comfort
  • Emollient: Forms a thin, flexible layer that fills in rough spots, reduces moisture loss and adds a cushiony feel without a greasy after-feel

Who Can Use Peg-7 Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter Glyceryl Esters

This ingredient sits in the low to mid-weight emollient range so it suits most skin types. Dry, normal and combination skin often enjoy its cushioning feel while oily skin can usually tolerate it because the Peg units keep the texture light enough to avoid a greasy finish. Highly acne-prone users who react to any form of butter should still watch how their skin responds since richer formulas could contribute to clogged pores if paired with other heavy oils.

Sensitive skin generally does well because the molecule is mild and free of fragrance, though a small subset may react to the polyethylene glycol portion. If you know you cannot tolerate PEGs you may want to steer clear.

Peg-7 Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter Glyceryl Esters is derived from a plant source and contains no animal by-products so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The PEG part is synthesized from ethylene oxide, a petrochemical, yet the final ingredient is still free of animal inputs.

Current safety data show no specific concerns for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. That said this is not medical advice and anyone expecting or nursing should run their entire skincare routine past a doctor just to be safe.

The ingredient does not absorb UV light and is not known to cause photosensitivity so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Reactions to topical Peg-7 Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter Glyceryl Esters differ from person to person. The points below cover potential issues but most users experience none of them as long as the product is well formulated and used as directed.

  • Redness, stinging or itching in individuals with a sensitivity to polyethylene glycols or Theobroma derivatives
  • Allergic contact dermatitis marked by rash or swelling in rare cases of true allergy
  • Breakouts or folliculitis when very oily skin meets high levels of the ingredient combined with other occlusive agents
  • Eye irritation if the ingredient gets into the eyes from a product not meant for that area

If you notice any of these effects stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms remain or worsen

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 2/5

The PEG part of the molecule pulls the buttery lipids toward water, so it spreads in a thinner, less occlusive layer than raw cupuaçu butter, which on its own would sit closer to a 4. Even though some fatty components remain, the partial water solubility lets most skin types breathe, dropping the clog-risk to the low-moderate range.

Generally acceptable for acne-prone skin as long as the rest of the formula is lightweight and you are not already using several rich oils or waxes.

Concentration matters: cleansers and sprays that rinse off or use under 3 percent pose almost no clogging concern, while heavy balms that load it at 10 percent or more could lean greasier.

Summary

Peg-7 Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter Glyceryl Esters acts as a skin-conditioning emollient that slips into water-based creams and cleansers, softening rough patches and adding a silky afterfeel while reducing moisture loss. Its PEG chain keeps it light and self-emulsifying, so formulators get the cushion of a butter without the weight.

The ingredient shows up regularly in mid-range skin and hair care but has not reached the household-name status of shea butter or glycerin. Brands that focus on exotic Amazonian botanicals use it more often, and its versatility means you might spot it in anything from face lotion to leave-in conditioner.

Current safety data rate it as low-risk with only rare reports of irritation or allergy. Still, skin can be unpredictable, so it is smart to patch test any new product that contains it before slathering it on fully.

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