What Is Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides?
Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides is a plant-derived ingredient made by combining evening primrose seed oil with glycerin, then attaching roughly 60 units of ethylene oxide to the resulting mono and diglycerides. The evening primrose plant, Oenothera biennis, is valued for its high content of linoleic and gamma-linolenic fatty acids, both of which are friendly to skin. By linking the oil’s glycerides to polyethylene glycol chains, chemists create a material that behaves well in water-based formulas while still carrying the nourishing character of the original oil.
Evening primrose oil found its way into beauty routines in the 1970s when its fatty acid profile became popular for dry or easily irritated skin. Formulators soon discovered that the raw oil could be difficult to mix into lotions and washes. Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides was developed as a workaround, letting them harness the plant oil’s benefits without the greasy feel or separation issues that pure oils can bring.
Manufacturing starts with gently heating evening primrose oil with food-grade glycerin to create mono and diglycerides. This mixture then undergoes controlled ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide gas reacts with the glycerides until the desired average of 60 ethylene oxide units is reached. The final step involves filtering and vacuum stripping to remove impurities and unreacted materials, yielding a pale, pourable liquid.
Thanks to its dual nature—part oil part water-loving polymer—Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides shows up in facial cleansers, micellar waters and shampoos, as well as lotions, serums, makeup removers and sheet mask essences. Anywhere a formulator needs gentle cleansing power or a stable blend of oil and water, this ingredient can fit the bill.
Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In a formula Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides brings two main perks that help products look, feel and perform better on skin and hair.
- Cleansing: Acts as a mild surfactant that lowers the surface tension of water so dirt, excess oil and makeup lift away more easily. Its fatty acid backbone keeps it gentle which makes it suitable for daily use in face and body washes as well as baby care products.
- Emulsifying: Bridges the gap between oil and water phases, holding them together in a smooth stable emulsion. This prevents separation, gives lotions a lighter non-greasy texture and ensures that each pump or swipe delivers consistent levels of actives and moisturizers.
Who Can Use Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides
This ingredient is generally well tolerated by all skin types including oily, dry, combination and sensitive skin because it is mild and free of harsh sulfates. Those with very damaged or broken skin should still proceed cautiously since any surfactant can feel stinging on open areas.
Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides is plant derived and contains no animal by-products so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Current data show no specific risks for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when the ingredient is applied topically in cosmetic amounts. This is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should run all skincare choices past a doctor to be on the safe side.
The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity and will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also fragrance free and typically compatible with other common skincare actives, making it easy to slot into most routines.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides vary from person to person. The points below list potential side effects that can occur, though they are unlikely for the average user when the ingredient is properly formulated.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness or itching, especially on compromised skin barriers
- Contact allergy in individuals with a known sensitivity to PEG compounds
- Transient eye stinging if a cleanser containing the ingredient is rinsed poorly
- Dry or tight feeling if used in very high concentrations without added moisturizers
If you experience any of these effects discontinue use and seek guidance from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides is largely water dispersible because of its 60 units of ethylene oxide, which keeps the fatty portions from lingering on skin and blocking pores. While the base oil, evening primrose, carries a moderate clogging potential, the PEG modification greatly lowers that risk, earning it a low score of 1.
Suitability for acne-prone users: generally safe for breakout-prone skin, though individual tolerance can vary.
Because it rinses away cleanly in cleansers and is used at low levels in leave-on products, real-world reports of it causing pimples are rare.
Summary
Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides works as a mild cleanser and a reliable emulsifier. Its PEG side chains grab onto water while its fatty backbone interacts with oils, so it can lift away grime and keep oil-in-water formulas smooth and stable.
The ingredient is moderately popular, showing up more in gentle face washes and micellar waters than in trendy serums, mainly because formulators reach for it when they need cleansing without sulfates or a lightweight oil-in-water texture.
Overall safety data are solid, with low irritation risk and no major red flags. Still, skin is personal, so patch test any new product that features Peg-60 Evening Primrose Glycerides to make sure it plays nicely with your complexion.