Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/PEG-20 Distearate
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is PEG-20 Distearate natural?

Mostly not. Two natural stearic-acid chains are outweighed by the longer petrochemical PEG-20 bridge, which dominates final mass.

INCI namePEG-20 Distearate
CAS9005-08-7
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant
FeedstockBoth fatty ends are oleochemical stearic acid; the…

How we scored it

Description confirms diester of stearic acid + 20 EO (given formula mismatched, same PEG-1 pattern). 2×267.5 stearoyl / 1432.0 total = 0.37
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Both fatty ends are oleochemical stearic acid; the central PEG-20 bridge is from petrochemical ethylene oxide, longer than in PEG-12 Distearate. No natural PEG route exists.

In plain English

A thickener and emulsifier for creams and lotions. Two natural fatty-acid chains are linked by a longer petroleum-derived polyethylene glycol bridge, making the ingredient mostly synthetic by weight.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxooctadecyl)-.omega.-[(1-oxooctadecyl)oxy]- (20 mol EO average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

Arachidic Acid 100% natural origin

A waxy fatty acid from peanut and other vegetable oils, used to thicken formulas and give creams and…

 Arachidyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A gentle, sugar-based emulsifier used in creams and lotions to stabilize formulas without harsh surfactants. It's made from…

 Behenic Acid 100% natural origin

A long-chain fatty acid from vegetable oil, used to thicken and stabilise creams and conditioners. It is extracted…

 C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A mild, sugar-based cleansing and emulsifying surfactant made by combining plant-derived fatty alcohols (coconut/palm) with glucose from starch.…

 C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A mild, sugar-based cleansing ingredient made from coconut or palm fatty alcohols and glucose; helps cleanse skin and…

 C18-36 Acid 100% natural origin

A blend of long-chain plant fatty acids used as a mild cleanser and thickener, giving body and a…

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2PEG-20 DISTEARATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3PEG-20 DISTEARATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PEG-20%20DISTEARATE