What Is Peg-150 Dilaurate?
Peg-150 Dilaurate is a man-made ingredient created by attaching about 150 units of ethylene oxide to lauric acid, a fatty acid that comes from coconut or palm oil. The result is a thick waxy substance that loves both water and oil, which makes it valuable in many personal care formulas. Polyethylene glycol ingredients like this one started gaining popularity in the 1950s when chemists were looking for safer, more effective cleansers for skin and hair care.
The manufacturing process is fairly simple. First lauric acid is reacted with ethylene oxide in a controlled setting. This step adds repeating “peg” links to the fatty acid, turning it into a mild surfactant that can mix oil with water. After purification the finished material is melted, cooled and flaked for easy handling by formulators.
You will most often spot Peg-150 Dilaurate in foaming face washes, body washes, shampoos, exfoliating scrubs, peel-off masks, makeup removers and even a few lightweight moisturizers. Anywhere a product needs to lift away dirt or bind water and oil into a stable mixture, this ingredient can help.
Peg-150 Dilaurate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In skin and hair care formulas Peg-150 Dilaurate serves two key roles that improve both texture and performance.
- Cleansing: Its surfactant nature lowers the surface tension between oil and water so excess sebum, sweat and grime rinse away easily. This gives face washes and shampoos a thorough yet gentle cleaning action without leaving skin or hair tight or dry.
- Emulsifying: By keeping oil and water evenly blended it prevents separation in lotions, scrubs and masks. This makes the product look smooth, feel pleasant on application and stay effective from the first use to the last.
Who Can Use Peg-150 Dilaurate
Peg-150 Dilaurate is generally suitable for all skin types. Its mild cleansing action works well for oily and combination skin because it lifts away excess sebum without a heavy residue. Normal and sensitive skin usually tolerate it too, thanks to its high molecular weight that keeps it on the surface rather than sinking deep into the skin. Very dry or severely compromised skin might prefer richer, less detergent-like ingredients since repeated exposure to surfactants can accentuate tightness.
The lauric acid used to make Peg-150 Dilaurate is almost always sourced from coconut or palm oil, not animal fat, and the rest of the molecule is fully synthetic. That makes products containing it appropriate for vegetarians and vegans unless the overall formula includes other animal-derived additives.
Peg-based ingredients have no known reproductive toxicity and are not absorbed to a meaningful degree, so Peg-150 Dilaurate is considered safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women when used in topical cosmetics. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should show any planned skincare routine to a healthcare professional just to be safe.
The ingredient does not cause photosensitivity and will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also fragrance free, so fragrance sensitivities are rarely an issue.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Peg-150 Dilaurate vary from person to person. The effects below are possible but uncommon when the ingredient is used at normal cosmetic levels.
- Mild skin irritation – a temporary stinging or burning sensation especially on already compromised skin
- Dryness or tightness – over-cleansing can remove too much natural oil leading to a parched feel
- Redness or itching – a sign of sensitivity that typically resolves once the product is rinsed away
- Eye irritation – can cause watering or discomfort if a cleanser accidentally gets into the eyes
- Allergic contact dermatitis – very rare but possible in individuals allergic to polyethylene glycol compounds
If you experience any negative reaction stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5. Peg-150 Dilaurate is highly water-soluble and used at low concentrations so it is unlikely to sit in pores or form an occlusive film that traps oil. While any surfactant can disturb the skin barrier with heavy or frequent use this particular molecule is large and rinses off easily which keeps clogging risk minimal. Suitable for people prone to acne or breakouts in most rinse-off formats.
Keep in mind that overall formula design matters; heavy oils, waxes or silicone blends in the same product can raise the finished product’s comedogenic potential even if this ingredient scores low on its own.
Summary
Peg-150 Dilaurate is mainly a cleanser and emulsifier. Its long chain of polyethylene glycol units latches onto both water and oil so it lifts grime then helps it rinse away while also keeping mixed formulas stable and smooth. You will find it in many face washes, body washes, scrubs and peel-off masks though it rarely headlines marketing copy which keeps its popularity steady but low-key.
Safety reviews show a very low risk profile with irritation or allergy being uncommon and generally mild. Still every skin is different so do a quick patch test when trying a new product that contains it just to be sure.