What Is Peg-90M?
Peg-90M is a very large form of polyethylene glycol, a water loving polymer built from repeating units of ethylene oxide. With an average of about ninety thousand of these tiny units strung together, the molecule looks and behaves like a soft watery chain. It is made by reacting ethylene oxide gas with a starter compound under carefully controlled heat and pressure until the chain reaches the desired length, then purifying the result to remove any leftover reactants. Peg-90M grew popular in personal care during the 1970s when brands searched for gentler alternatives to traditional thickeners and stabilisers. Today manufacturers rely on it to keep formulas smooth and stable without adding greasy feel. You will most often spot Peg-90M in moisturizers, sheet and wash off masks, serums, soothing gels, sunscreens and anti-aging creams where it helps create a silky texture and hold the blend together.
Peg-90M’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In a formula Peg-90M wears several hats that improve both the product experience and its performance for the skin.
- Binding: Helps hold powdered or dispersed ingredients in place so they stay evenly spread throughout the product which keeps every scoop or pump consistent from first use to last
- Emulsion stabilising: Keeps oil and water phases mixed so creams do not split or weep during storage making the product look fresh and dependable over its shelf life
- Viscosity controlling: Thickens watery bases into pleasant gels or creams adjusting flow and feel without adding heaviness which lets formulators fine tune how easily the product spreads and absorbs
Who Can Use Peg-90M
Peg-90M is considered gentle and non-pore clogging so it suits most skin types including dry, normal and oily skin. Sensitive skin tends to tolerate it well because the polymer sits on the surface and does not react with living cells. Extremely reactive or allergy-prone skin should still read the full ingredient list of any product, as problems are more likely to come from other additives rather than Peg-90M itself.
The ingredient is produced from petroleum-derived ethylene oxide and is not sourced from animals, making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
No data shows Peg-90M to be harmful for pregnant or breastfeeding women when used on the skin. This article is not medical advice; anyone who is expecting or nursing should check any new skincare product with a doctor to be sure it fits their personal situation.
Peg-90M does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight so it is safe to use both day and night without raising the risk of sunburn.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Peg-90M differ from person to person. The points below list potential side effects even though most people will never notice them when the ingredient is used correctly in a well-made product.
- Temporary redness or mild irritation
- Stinging on very broken or compromised skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals with a rare sensitivity to polyethylene glycols
- Eye irritation if a high-strength formula accidentally gets into the eyes
If any discomfort or unusual reaction appears stop use at once and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0 / 5
Peg-90M is a very large water soluble polymer that does not penetrate into pores or mix with skin oils, so it has virtually no chance of blocking follicles or encouraging blackheads. Its job is to sit on the surface, thicken water and stabilise emulsions which is why formulators treat it as non-comedogenic. This makes Peg-90M a comfortable option for people who are prone to acne or frequent breakouts.
No published data show the ingredient to oxidise or degrade into pore-clogging by-products over time, even under normal storage conditions.
Summary
Peg-90M acts as a binder, emulsion stabiliser and viscosity controller in skincare, haircare and suncare. The long polyethylene glycol chain grabs onto water molecules giving products a smooth gel or cream body while keeping oil and water phases uniformly blended. This improves texture, spreadability and shelf stability without adding greasiness.
Although it is not a headline ingredient like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, Peg-90M remains a quiet workhorse in many formulas because it is dependable, easy to use and cost effective.
Safety profiles show a very low risk of irritation or allergy for the general population. Still, skin is unique so it is wise to patch test any new product that contains Peg-90M to make sure it agrees with you.