Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/PEG-32 Distearate
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is PEG-32 Distearate natural?

Mostly not. Stearic acid is oleochemical/natural; the 32-unit polyethylene glycol backbone is petrochemical.

INCI namePEG-32 Distearate
CAS9005-08-7
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant
FeedstockDiester of stearic acid (from vegetable oil or…

How we scored it

2×stearoyl(535) natural; PEG-32 backbone(1426-2H=1424) petrochemical; supplied formula matched n=1 not 32, recalculated; 535/1959=0.27.
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

Diester of stearic acid (from vegetable oil or tallow) with PEG-32 made from petrochemical ethylene oxide. No alternative route for the PEG portion.

In plain English

An emulsifier made by combining stearic acid (from vegetable oils or animal fat) with a long synthetic petrochemical chain, used to blend water and oil in creams.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxooctadecyl)-.omega.-[(1-oxooctadecyl)oxy]- (32 mol EO average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

Arachidic Acid 100% natural origin

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 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-32 DISTEARATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3PEG-32 DISTEARATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PEG-32%20DISTEARATE