What Is Peg-200?
Peg-200 is a clear, odorless liquid that belongs to the family of polyethylene glycols. Chemically, it is made up of many repeating units of ethylene oxide that end with hydroxy groups. This structure lets it mix well with both water and oil, which is why it shows up so often in cosmetic formulas.
The journey of polyethylene glycols into beauty products began in the mid-20th century, when chemists were searching for safe, flexible ingredients that could improve texture and moisture levels. Over time, Peg-200 became a favorite because its lower molecular weight gives it a light feel on skin while still delivering reliable performance.
Peg-200 is produced by reacting ethylene oxide with water under carefully controlled heat and pressure. Manufacturers can adjust the number of ethylene oxide units, and a count around 200 units gives us the grade known as Peg-200.
You will most often find Peg-200 in lightweight moisturizers, sheet masks, hydrating serums, after-sun gels, micellar waters and rinse-off cleansers. Its ability to pull in water and help dissolve other ingredients makes it a versatile helper in many daily-use products.
Peg-200’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Peg-200 lends two main benefits that make it useful in a wide range of formulas:
- Humectant: Peg-200 attracts water from the surrounding air and draws it into the upper layers of the skin. This helps keep skin feeling soft, plump and comfortable throughout the day, and can also improve the spreadability of a product
- Solvent: It helps dissolve other ingredients, especially those that do not mix easily with water on their own. By acting as a carrier, Peg-200 allows active ingredients, fragrances and plant extracts to blend evenly so the final product feels smooth and works the same from first use to last
Who Can Use Peg-200
Peg-200 is generally well tolerated by all skin types, including dry, normal and oily. Its light texture and water binding ability make it helpful for dehydrated skin while not feeling heavy on oilier complexions. Those with very reactive or damaged skin barriers may want to monitor how their skin feels since any synthetic solvent can occasionally amplify sensitivity.
The ingredient is produced entirely from petrochemical feedstocks, not animal sources, so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. As always, cruelty free status depends on the brand’s overall testing policy rather than the ingredient itself.
Peg-200 has a long history of safe topical use and is not linked to hormonal activity, which means products containing it are generally considered low risk for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should still clear all personal care products with their doctor to be safe.
Peg-200 does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, and it has no known interactions with common sunscreen agents. It also rinses away easily, so it rarely builds up on skin or hair.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to Peg-200 can vary from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects, but most users will not experience them when using a well formulated product
- Mild skin irritation: Temporary redness or a tingling sensation can appear, especially if skin is already compromised
- Contact dermatitis in individuals allergic to polyethylene glycols: Rare but possible, leading to itching, rash or swelling
- Eye stinging: If a product containing Peg-200 migrates into the eyes it can cause brief discomfort or watering
- Enhanced absorption of other actives: Peg-200 can increase the penetration of ingredients applied alongside it, which may intensify reactions to stronger acids or retinoids
If you notice persistent redness, itching or swelling after using a product with Peg-200 stop use and seek guidance from a healthcare professional
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0 / 5 Peg-200 is fully water soluble and does not leave an oily or waxy film on skin, so it is very unlikely to clog pores. It quickly rinses away and has no occlusive properties, which keeps it from trapping dead cells or sebum that could spark breakouts. Because of this lightweight behavior, Peg-200 is considered suitable for people who are prone to acne or frequent blemishes.
There are no reports of Peg-200 interacting with sebum oxidation or changing the skin’s microbiome in ways that would contribute to comedone formation, further supporting its non-comedogenic status.
Summary
Peg-200 works as a humectant and a solvent. Its chain of ethylene oxide units eagerly binds water, pulling moisture into the upper layers of skin for a softer, plumper feel. The same molecular structure lets it dissolve fragrance oils, plant extracts and other actives so a formula goes on evenly and remains stable over time.
While not as buzz worthy as botanical glycerin or trendy sugar alcohols, Peg-200 remains a quiet workhorse in many modern skincare and haircare products thanks to its reliability and light skin feel.
Safety data show a very low risk profile with only rare cases of irritation or allergy. Still, everyone’s skin is unique, so it is wise to do a quick patch test whenever you try a new product that contains Peg-200.