PEG-50 Shea Butter is a polyethylene glycol derivative of shea butter that combines the nourishing benefits of natural shea butter with the solubility and emulsifying properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG), making it highly versatile in formulations. It offers moisturizing, emollient, and conditioning effects while being easier to formulate into water-based products compared to raw shea butter. Its ability to mix with both oil and water enhances the stability and texture of cosmetic products. In its raw form, PEG-50 Shea Butter appears as a white to off-white paste or semi-solid with a creamy, smooth texture. It has a gentle nature that makes it suitable for a wide range of skin types.
CAS Number: 68153-76-4Chem/IUPAC Name: (C14-C18)Alkyl and (C14-C18)dialkyl glycerideEINECS/ELINCS No: COSING REF No: 77107Products with PEG-50 SHEA BUTTER
With samples available
What is PEG-50 SHEA BUTTER used for?
PEG-50 Shea Butter offers multiple benefits for both skin and hair due to its combined properties of natural shea butter and its PEG component.
- Skin care: Peg-50 Shea Butter provides intense hydration by forming a protective barrier that locks in moisture, making it effective for treating dry or dehydrated skin. Its emollient properties soften and smooth the skin, improving texture without leaving a greasy residue. It also contains natural fatty acids and vitamins, which promote skin elasticity and help soothe irritation or inflammation
- Hair care: PEG-50 Shea Butter conditions the hair by coating the strands, reducing frizz, enhancing manageability, and imparting shine. It helps prevent moisture loss, keeping hair hydrated and healthy, while also improving combability, reducing breakage, and making the hair smoother and more manageable
Origin
PEG-50 Shea Butter is made through the process of ethoxylation, where natural shea butter is chemically reacted with ethylene oxide. During this process, shea butter is combined with 50 units of ethylene oxide (hence "PEG-50"), creating a polyethylene glycol derivative that is more water-soluble than regular shea butter. After ethoxylation, the product is purified to remove any impurities and ensure safe use in cosmetics.
What does PEG-50 SHEA BUTTER do in a formulation?
EMOLLIENT|
EMULSIFYING|
HAIR CONDITIONING|
HAIR FIXING|
MOISTURISING|
SKIN CONDITIONING|
SMOOTHINGSafety Profile
Peg-50 Shea Butter is considered safe for use in cosmetic and personal care products. It is non-toxic, non-irritating, and well-tolerated by most skin and hair types. However, during the ethoxylation process, there is a risk of contamination with trace amounts of ethylene oxide or 1,4-dioxane, both potential carcinogens. To ensure safety, high-quality, purified forms of PEG-50 Shea Butter should be used, and impurities should be minimized. Patch testing is recommended for sensitive skin.
PEG-50 SHEA BUTTER alternatives
PEG-50 SHEA BUTTER technical profile
| Property | Values |
| pH | 4-8 |
| Solubility | Soluble in water and oil |
| Viscosity | Medium to high |