What Is Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine?
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine is an ethoxylated amine made by reacting hydrogenated tallow fatty acids with about forty units of ethylene oxide. The tallow usually comes from rendered animal fat, though some suppliers now offer plant based or synthetic versions for brands that avoid animal sources. The ethoxylation step turns the otherwise water-repelling fatty material into a partly water-loving ingredient that can mix oil and water.
The cosmetic industry began using ethoxylated tallow amines in the mid-20th century when formulators needed mild yet effective cleansers and emulsifiers. Over time the process was refined to produce different grades, with Peg-40 becoming popular for its balance of cleaning power and skin feel. Manufacturing involves hydrogenating tallow to stabilize the fatty chains, converting them to an amine, then adding ethylene oxide in controlled steps to reach the target of forty moles per mole of amine. The result is a thick, pale paste or liquid that dissolves in water and oils alike.
You will most often see Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine in rinse-off products like shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, facial cleansers and makeup removers, but it can also show up in creams, lotions and wipes where a gentle cleansing or stabilizing boost is needed.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient serves more than one job in a formula, making it a handy tool for product developers.
- Cleansing: Its surfactant nature helps lift dirt, oil and product residue from skin or hair so they can be rinsed away with water. The fatty backbone keeps the cleanse from feeling too harsh or stripping.
- Emulsifying: By having both water-friendly and oil-friendly parts, it holds oil and water together in a smooth stable mixture. This keeps creams, lotions and conditioning rinses from separating on the shelf and ensures an even dose of actives each time you use the product.
Who Can Use Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine
Most skin types, including normal, oily and combination, tolerate Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine well because it cleans without stripping and helps keep textures stable. Very dry or highly sensitive skin might prefer formulas where this ingredient is paired with extra soothing agents since the surfactant action can feel a bit too cleansing on fragile barriers when used at higher levels.
Because traditional versions come from animal tallow, products using the standard grade are not suitable for vegans or strict vegetarians. If a brand specifies a plant derived or synthetic alternative then those versions would meet vegan and vegetarian standards.
Current safety assessments have not flagged Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine as a concern for pregnant or breastfeeding women when used in rinse off or leave on cosmetics. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should check with a healthcare professional before adding new skincare to their routine.
The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It also has no known interference with common actives like retinoids or vitamin C, making it easy to layer within a broader routine.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Individual responses to topical Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine can vary. The effects below are possibilities not the norm, and most users will experience none of them when the product is formulated and used as intended.
- Mild skin or scalp irritation, especially on already compromised or very sensitive skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in people who are sensitized to amine or ethoxylated compounds
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes before rinsing
- Build up on hair over time which can weigh strands down if the formula is not balanced with clarifying ingredients
If any redness, burning or discomfort develops stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine contains bulky ethoxylated chains that keep it water dispersible, so it does not readily lodge in pores or create the waxy film typically linked with breakouts. Most formulas use it at low levels and often in rinse-off products, further reducing any clogging risk. Still, very oily skin could notice a slight residue if the overall formula is heavy or not fully rinsed.
Overall this ingredient is considered suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin.
Keep in mind that a final product’s entire recipe determines how pore-friendly it is, and richer creams containing this ingredient might still feel occlusive on some users.
Summary
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Tallow Amine acts as both a cleanser and an emulsifier. Its fatty tallow backbone grabs onto oils while the attached polyethylene glycol segments pull toward water, letting it lift grime from skin or hair and keep oil-and-water mixtures smooth and stable.
It is a workhorse rather than a star ingredient, so you will not see it highlighted on marketing labels, yet formulators appreciate its reliability in shampoos, body washes, makeup removers and even some lotions.
Current safety reviews find it low risk at typical use levels with irritation limited to rare cases of sensitivity. As with any new product it is smart to patch test first to make sure your skin agrees with the full formula.