Home › Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Moderate concern

PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate is used in cosmetics. PEG-derivatives can carry residual ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane (carcinogen contaminants) that must be controlled.

Found in

6 products

What it is

A polyethylene glycol (20 EO units) ether of methyl glucose esterified with stearic acid (sesqui = ~1.5 ester groups per molecule); a non-ionic emulsifier.

Cosmetic emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent. Not approved as a direct food additive.

Why it's flagged

potential 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide impurities
not approved direct food additive

What regulators actually say

"1,4-Dioxane is a likely human carcinogen ... and is a possible byproduct in PEG-containing cosmetic ingredients."

FDA — 1,4-Dioxane in Cosmetics — fda.gov

Regulatory status

United States — FDA

Cosmetic ingredient; not direct food additive.

European Union — EFSA

Not authorized direct food additive.

Scan it before you buy it

Get Ube on iOS or Android — point at any barcode, see what's actually in there.

Get the app