What Is Peg-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides?
Peg-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides comes from the oil found in passionfruit (also called Passiflora edulis) seeds. Chemically, the natural fatty acids in the seed oil are first turned into mono- and diglycerides, then linked with about 60 units of ethylene oxide. This process makes the oil water friendly while keeping the softness of the original plant lipids.
Passionfruit seed oil has long been prized in South American beauty rituals for its lightweight feel. When labs began looking for plant-based alternatives to traditional surfactants in the late 20th century, they adapted the oil with polyethylene glycol (PEG) so it could mix well with both water and oils. The result was Peg-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides, a multitasking ingredient that quickly gained ground in skin and hair formulas.
Manufacturing starts with cold-pressing passionfruit seeds to collect the oil. The oil is then reacted with food-grade glycerin to form glycerides, followed by controlled ethoxylation. The final material is a creamy liquid or paste that dissolves in water, making it easy for brands to add during the cool-down stage of production.
You’ll spot Peg-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides in facial cleansers, micellar waters, moisturizers, lightweight lotions, hair conditioners, leave-in sprays and sheet masks. It is especially popular in products that aim for a silky finish without a greasy feel.
Peg-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This plant-derived helper brings two main perks to beauty formulas
- Emollient: Coats skin or hair with a thin layer of fatty acids that smooths rough spots, boosts softness and helps prevent moisture loss so the surface feels velvety
- Emulsifying: Acts like a bridge between oil and water so creams stay blended, cleansers rinse off easily and formulas feel light instead of oily
Who Can Use Peg-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides
This ingredient plays well with nearly all skin types. Its lightweight emollient feel makes it comfortable for oily or combination skin while the fatty acids still give dry skin a touch of softness. Most sensitive skin can tolerate it, though anyone with a known polyethylene glycol allergy should steer clear since PEG is part of its makeup.
The glycerides come from passionfruit seeds and the ethoxylation step uses synthetic compounds, none of which involve animal by-products, so the raw material is vegan and vegetarian friendly. As always, check the full product label, since other ingredients in the same formula may not be.
Data so far shows no special risks for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when the ingredient is used in topical cosmetics. This is not medical advice and anyone expecting or nursing should have a quick chat with a doctor before starting a new product just to be sure.
Peg-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides has no known link to photosensitivity. It will not make skin burn more easily in the sun, though daily sunscreen is still important for overall skin health.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to any cosmetic ingredient can differ from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects users could encounter, but they are not common when the material is used in properly formulated products.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness or stinging in very sensitive individuals
- Contact dermatitis in people allergic to PEG compounds
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Scalp or hair build-up if high concentrations are left on without rinsing
If any of these issues arise stop using the product and seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 (very low)
Because Peg-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides is water soluble and made from light passionfruit fatty acids it is unlikely to form the heavy, waxy film that can clog pores. The molecule’s PEG side keeps it dispersible in water so most of it rinses away or spreads in a thin layer. For these reasons formulators consider it practically non-pore-clogging, though a trace of oil character earns it a cautious 1 rather than a perfect 0.
Suitable for those prone to acne and breakouts in the vast majority of formulations.
Keep in mind that overall pore friendliness also depends on the other ingredients in the product and how thoroughly it is removed from skin.
Summary
Peg-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides serves as an emollient that leaves skin and hair soft and smooth and as an emulsifier that keeps oil and water evenly blended. The passionfruit-derived glycerides supply the silky feel while the PEG portion gives the ingredient its water-loving side so it can anchor creams and make cleansers rinse clean.
It is not as famous as classic emulsifiers like polysorbates yet its plant origin, silky texture and easy processing have made it an increasingly popular choice in modern lightweight lotions micellar waters and spray conditioners.
Current research and decades of safe use show a low irritation profile with no major red flags. As with any new cosmetic always do a small patch test first to make sure your individual skin agrees with the product.