What Is Peg-50 Stearamine?
Peg-50 Stearamine is a man-made ingredient created by attaching about fifty units of ethylene oxide to stearylamine, a fatty amine that comes from stearic acid. Stearic acid itself is usually sourced from plant oils such as coconut or palm, though it can also come from animal fats. By adding the polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain, chemists turn the oil-loving stearylamine into a molecule that can mix with both water and oil, which is why it is so helpful in personal care formulas.
The use of ethoxylated fatty amines in cosmetics grew after the mid-20th century when manufacturers sought gentler surfactants for cleansing and conditioning products. Peg-50 Stearamine gained popularity for its mildness compared with earlier detergents and for its ability to leave hair and skin feeling soft.
To make it, stearylamine is reacted with ethylene oxide in a controlled setting. Each ethylene oxide unit links to the amine, lengthening the chain until roughly fifty units are attached. The result is a waxy solid or paste that dissolves easily in water-based mixtures.
Because of its versatility, Peg-50 Stearamine shows up in a wide range of products. It is common in shampoos and conditioners, facial cleansers, body washes, creams, lotions, makeup removers and rinse-off masks where it helps the formula stay stable and feel smooth.
Peg-50 Stearamine’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In beauty formulas Peg-50 Stearamine serves several helpful roles:
- Antistatic: Reduces static electricity on hair so strands lie flat and are easier to manage
- Cleansing: Lifts away dirt oil and buildup without stripping natural moisture, leaving skin or hair feeling clean but comfortable
- Emulsifying: Helps water and oil ingredients blend into a stable mixture which improves texture and shelf life while preventing separation
Who Can Use Peg-50 Stearamine
Peg-50 Stearamine is generally considered gentle enough for most skin and hair types. Normal, dry, oily and combination skin usually tolerate it well because it cleanses without heavy residue. Those with very sensitive or eczema-prone skin may want to check the full formula, since fragrances or other additives paired with Peg-50 Stearamine could be the real irritants rather than the ingredient itself.
The base fatty acid used to make Peg-50 Stearamine can come from either plant or animal sources. If the manufacturer confirms a plant-derived feedstock such as coconut or palm oil, the finished ingredient is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Because supply chains vary, strict vegans should look for products that explicitly state the ingredient is plant sourced or certified vegan.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals are not known to face special restrictions with topical Peg-50 Stearamine. No studies link it to developmental or hormonal issues at the levels used in cosmetics. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should review all personal care products with a healthcare professional for peace of mind.
Peg-50 Stearamine does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and it does not degrade when exposed to UV rays, so it is not considered photosensitising.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Peg-50 Stearamine vary from person to person. The points below list potential side effects, but they are uncommon when the ingredient is properly formulated and used at standard cosmetic levels.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness or itching, usually linked to very sensitive skin
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes during use
- Contact allergy in rare cases, presenting as rash or hives
- Scalp dryness or flaking when used in high concentrations in hair products
If you notice any discomfort stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5
Peg-50 Stearamine is highly water soluble thanks to its long PEG chain, so it rinses away without leaving a heavy film that could clog pores. While its stearic backbone is mildly comedogenic on its own, the ethoxylation process makes the molecule far less likely to block follicles. For this reason it scores a low 1, meaning it poses minimal risk of causing blackheads or breakouts for most users.
Because the rating is low, Peg-50 Stearamine is generally fine for acne-prone or oily skin as long as the overall formula is non-comedogenic. People who are extremely sensitive to fatty ingredients may still prefer lighter alternatives, but issues are uncommon.
Summary
Peg-50 Stearamine acts as an antistatic agent a gentle cleanser and an emulsifier. The PEG portion mixes easily with water while the stearyl part likes oil, letting the molecule pull grime from skin or hair and hold water and oil together in a stable blend. Its antistatic effect comes from coating hair fibers so electric charges dissipate instead of making strands flyaway.
The ingredient is a quiet workhorse rather than a headline star, appearing most often in shampoos conditioners and face washes where smooth texture and mild cleansing are priorities. It is not as trendy as botanical surfactants but remains popular with formulators who need reliable performance.
Safety data show low irritation potential when used at cosmetic levels, and its comedogenic rating is only 1. Still every skin type is unique so it is smart to patch test new products containing Peg-50 Stearamine before full use.