What Is Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides?
Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides is a plant-derived ingredient created from the glycerides found in sunflower seed oil. Chemically, it starts with mono- and diglycerides that naturally occur in sunflower oil. These glycerides are then reacted with ethylene oxide, attaching an average of 13 ethoxy units to each molecule. The result is a lightweight fluid that mixes smoothly with both water and oil, making it highly versatile in cosmetic formulations.
The practice of modifying plant oils with polyethylene glycol (PEG) took off in the late twentieth century, when formulators looked for ways to make natural oils more water friendly without losing their skin-loving properties. Sunflower oil became a popular choice because it is abundant, renewable and rich in fatty acids that are gentle on skin. Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides offers the softness of sunflower oil along with the easy spreadability and stability offered by PEG technology.
Production begins by splitting sunflower oil into its mono- and diglyceride parts, then carefully reacting them with a controlled amount of ethylene oxide. This step is monitored to reach an average of 13 ethoxy groups, giving the ingredient its balance of oil and water affinity. After purification, the fluid is ready for use in cosmetics.
You will commonly find Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides in creams, lotions, facial serums, makeup removers, hair conditioners, sunscreens, baby care products and gentle cleansers where a smooth feel and stable texture are important.
Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient serves more than one purpose in a formula, making it a handy multitasker for product developers.
- Emollient: Adds softness and slip to the skin or hair surface, helping formulas glide on easily and leaving a light conditioned feel without greasiness
- Emulsifying: Helps oil and water ingredients stay blended, improving the stability, look and shelf life of creams and lotions while allowing brands to add both water-based and oil-based actives in one product
Who Can Use Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides
This ingredient is generally considered suitable for all skin types including dry, normal, combination and oily because it delivers lightweight moisture without leaving a heavy film. Those with sensitive skin usually tolerate it well thanks to the gentle fatty acids from sunflower oil, though anyone with a known allergy to PEGs or sunflower derivatives should approach with caution.
Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides is derived entirely from plant sources and no animal by-products are used during production, so it fits easily into vegan and vegetarian lifestyles.
Current safety data shows no specific concerns for pregnant or breastfeeding women when the ingredient is used topically in cosmetics. Still, this information is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should review all skincare choices with a qualified healthcare professional.
The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also odorless and compatible with most common actives and preservatives, making it unlikely to interfere with the rest of a routine.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides vary from person to person. The points below list potential side effects that remain uncommon when the ingredient is used at the levels typically found in finished products.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness or itching in individuals sensitive to PEG compounds or sunflower derivatives
- Rare allergic contact dermatitis presenting as a rash or hives
- Eye stinging if the raw ingredient or a high-concentration product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Breakouts in very acne-prone users if the rest of the formula is overly rich or occlusive
- Trace residual 1,4-dioxane from the ethoxylation process if manufacturing purification is substandard
If any irritation or other negative effect occurs stop using the product immediately and seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5
Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides is light, partially water soluble and used at modest levels, so it rarely builds up inside pores. Its sunflower fatty acids are non-occlusive and the PEG side helps it rinse away cleanly, giving it a low likelihood of clogging which earns a score of 1.
Most people prone to acne can use it without seeing an uptick in breakouts.
The overall pore-clogging potential of a finished product still depends on the other ingredients and how thoroughly it is cleansed from the skin.
Summary
Peg-13 Sunflower Glycerides is valued for two main jobs: it softens skin as an emollient and it keeps oil and water mixed as an emulsifier. The sunflower glycerides supply the cushioning feel while the 13 attached ethoxy groups give the molecule its water friendliness, letting it hold a formula together and spread smoothly.
Though not as famous as shea butter or glycerin, it is gaining traction in clean beauty lines that want plant-based multifunctional ingredients with a light texture.
Safety data shows a very low risk of irritation, sensitization or pore clogging at normal use levels. Even so, skin is individual so it is smart to patch test any new product that contains it before full application.