Database/Light Stabilizer/PEG-25 PABA
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is PEG-25 PABA natural?

No. Both PABA and the polyethylene glycol chain are synthesized from petrochemical benzene and ethylene oxide.

INCI namePEG-25 PABA
CAS116242-27-4
FunctionLight Stabilizer · Uv Absorber
FeedstockPABA is made from petrochemical aniline/benzoic acid derivatives,…

How we scored it

PABA (petrochemical benzene/aniline derivative) + 25 mol ethylene oxide (petrochemical) = 0 divided by total = 0.0.
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

PABA is made from petrochemical aniline/benzoic acid derivatives, then reacted with petrochemical ethylene oxide. No fragment of the molecule is natural origin.

In plain English

A UV-absorbing sunscreen ingredient made by attaching polyethylene glycol chains to PABA. Entirely manufactured from petrochemical raw materials.

CosIng definition: PEG-25 PABA is the polyethylene glycol derivative of PABA. It conforms generally to the formula:

Natural alternatives with the same function

Asiatic Acid 100% natural origin

A skin-conditioning triterpene compound extracted and purified from Centella asiatica, also called gotu kola, leaves. It occurs naturally…

 Beta-Sitosterol 100% natural origin

A plant-derived, fat-like compound (a phytosterol) found in soybean and pine oils. It helps stabilise creams and lotions…

 Cholesterol 100% natural origin

A natural fat-like substance identical to the cholesterol found in skin. Used to help condition and support the…

 Esculin 100% natural origin

A natural coumarin glycoside from horse chestnut bark and leaves, used to help protect skin from light damage.…

 Glucose Oxidase 100% natural origin

An enzyme made by fermenting a common fungus, used in small amounts to help stabilise formulas. Note: the…

 Hydrogenated Tallow Glyceride 100% natural origin

An emollient and thickener made by combining animal fat (tallow) with glycerin, then hardening it through hydrogenation. It…

Structure

2D structure of PEG-25 PABA

PubChem CID 86278257 ↗

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-25 PABA. PubChem CID 86278257. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3PEG-25 PABA. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4PEG-25 PABA. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PEG-25%20PABA