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

Is PEG-32 Stearate natural?

Mostly not. A long 32-unit petrochemical PEG chain heavily dilutes the natural stearic-acid portion of the molecule.

INCI namePEG-32 Stearate
CAS9004-99-3
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant · Cleansing Surfactant
FeedstockOleochemical stearic acid esterified with a long polyethylene…

How we scored it

Given formula matches PEG-1; description confirms 32 EO used instead. Stearoyl (natural) 267.5 / [284.5+32×44.05=1694.2] Da total = 0.16
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

Oleochemical stearic acid esterified with a long polyethylene glycol chain from petrochemical ethylene oxide. The long PEG-32 chain has no natural equivalent and dominates the mass.

In plain English

An emulsifier and solubiliser used in creams and cleansers. A small natural fatty-acid portion is attached to a long, mostly petroleum-derived polyethylene glycol chain.

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

Natural alternatives with the same function

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