What Is Peg-75 Laurate?
Peg-75 Laurate is a synthetic ingredient created by attaching about 75 units of ethylene oxide to lauric acid, a fatty acid most often sourced from coconut or palm kernel oil. The result is a water-soluble form of lauric acid that behaves like a gentle soap. Polyethylene glycol based surfactants like this started gaining traction in the 1950s when formulators were looking for milder alternatives to traditional soaps that could still rinse away oil and dirt without leaving skin feeling tight.
Manufacturing begins with natural lauric acid that is reacted with ethylene oxide in a controlled process called ethoxylation. The number 75 indicates the average number of ethylene oxide units added, which determines how easily the molecule mixes with water. The final material is a clear to pale yellow liquid or paste that dissolves readily in water and blends smoothly with oils, making it versatile for many personal care formulas.
You will most often find Peg-75 Laurate in facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos, liquid hand soaps, micellar waters, makeup removers and exfoliating scrubs. It can also appear in mask rinses or pre-shave products where a mild yet effective cleansing action is needed.
Peg-75 Laurate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In cosmetics Peg-75 Laurate plays one primary role.
As a cleansing agent it lowers the surface tension of water so that oil, dirt and product buildup lift away more easily. Because the molecule has both water-loving and oil-loving parts it can surround grime, suspend it in the rinse water and leave skin or hair feeling clean without an overly stripped sensation. Its mildness makes it suitable for daily use even on sensitive skin types.
Who Can Use Peg-75 Laurate
Peg-75 Laurate is generally considered suitable for all skin types including dry, oily, combination and sensitive because its cleansing action is mild and it rinses away without leaving a harsh residue. Those with very compromised or severely eczema-prone skin should still monitor for any tightness or irritation since any surfactant can feel drying on already damaged skin barriers.
The ingredient is synthetic and typically sourced from plant-derived lauric acid and petroleum-derived ethylene oxide, so products containing it are normally free from animal ingredients. This makes them acceptable for vegans and vegetarians provided the rest of the formula also avoids animal-based materials.
No research indicates that Peg-75 Laurate poses special risks to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when used in rinse-off cosmetics. This is not medical advice and expectant or nursing mothers should check with a healthcare professional before adding any new product to their routine just to stay on the safe side.
Peg-75 Laurate does not increase photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It also has no known interactions with common actives such as vitamin C, retinoids or hydroxy acids, making it easy to slot into most regimens.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Side effects and reactions to the topical application of Peg-75 Laurate can vary from person to person. The following list covers potential issues but most users will not experience them when the ingredient is used correctly in a finished cosmetic product.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness or stinging, especially on very sensitive or compromised skin
- Dryness or a tight feeling if the formula contains a high level of surfactants overall
- Allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases where an individual is specifically sensitized to polyethylene glycol compounds
- Eye irritation or watering if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Follicular irritation on the scalp or body when left on the skin for prolonged periods instead of being rinsed promptly
If any of these reactions occur stop using the product and seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider or dermatologist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5
Peg-75 Laurate is highly water soluble and easily rinses away, so it is unlikely to linger in pores and trigger blockages. While its parent fatty acid lauric acid can be comedogenic on its own, the large polyethylene glycol portion dramatically reduces that risk by keeping the molecule in the water phase of a formula. Because of this, most dermatology sources consider PEG-based surfactants to have very low pore-clogging potential.
In practical terms the ingredient is generally suitable for people prone to acne or breakouts, especially when used in rinse-off products like cleansers and shampoos.
As with any surfactant, the overall formula matters; heavy oils or occlusive agents paired with Peg-75 Laurate could still create a product that feels greasy or pore-clogging, so check the full ingredient list if you are highly blemish-prone.
Summary
Peg-75 Laurate is a synthetic, plant-derived surfactant whose primary job is cleansing. By lowering water’s surface tension and surrounding oil and dirt with its water-loving shell, it sweeps grime away without stripping skin or hair. Its mildness, water solubility and ease of formulation make it a frequent pick for face washes, body washes, micellar waters and gentle shampoos, though it does not have the same name recognition as workhorse surfactants like Sodium Laureth Sulfate so you may not see it highlighted on front labels.
Current safety data shows a low risk of irritation or sensitization when the ingredient is used as intended in rinse-off products. Still, everyone’s skin is unique, so patch test any new product that contains Peg-75 Laurate or any other surfactant to be sure it agrees with your skin.