Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/PEG-6 Stearate
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is PEG-6 Stearate natural?

Mostly not. Stearic acid chain is natural oleochemical; the six ethylene-oxide units are petrochemical, ethylene-derived.

INCI namePEG-6 Stearate
CAS9004-99-3
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant
FeedstockMade by esterifying oleochemical stearic acid (palm/tallow-derived) with…

How we scored it

Given formula (C20H40O3) matches PEG-1, not PEG-6; description's '6 mol EO' trusted instead. Stearoyl (natural) 267.5 Da / [stearic 284.5 + 6×EO 264.3 = 548.8] Da total = 0.49
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

Made by esterifying oleochemical stearic acid (palm/tallow-derived) with polyethylene glycol from petrochemical ethylene oxide. No commercially significant fully-natural route exists for the PEG portion.

In plain English

An emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions. It's made by combining stearic acid, a fatty acid from plant or animal fat, with a short chain of ethylene oxide derived from petroleum.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxooctadecyl)-.omega.-hydroxy- (6 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-6 STEARATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3PEG-6 STEARATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PEG-6%20STEARATE