PEG-90 has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 0.00 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. PEG chains are built entirely from petrochemical ethylene oxide; no natural fragment is present in the polymer. An NOI of 0.00 means 0% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

Is PEG-90 natural? NOI 0.00 — Is That Natural?

How we scored it

Pure polyethylene glycol homopolymer, entirely from petrochemical ethylene oxide. 0/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

A polyethylene glycol made by polymerising petrochemical ethylene oxide onto water (90 units average). No natural-origin commercial route exists.

In plain English

A synthetic polyethylene glycol used to keep formulas moist and help dissolve other ingredients.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, (90 mol EO average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

3-Glyceryl Ascorbate 100% natural origin

A stabilised, water-soluble form of vitamin C used as an antioxidant and humectant in skincare. It is made…

Acer Saccharum Sap 100% natural origin

Sap tapped straight from sugar maple trees, used as a humectant to help skin hold onto moisture. It's…

Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract 100% natural origin

An extract made from yarrow flowers, a plant long used in traditional herbal preparations. Used to help condition…

Acorus Gramineus Extract 100% natural origin

An extract from the whole grass-leaved sweet flag plant, used to help skin retain moisture. It is a…

Acronychia Acidula Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of lemon aspen, an Australian native fruit, used to condition skin and hair and help hold…

Adansonia Grandidieri Seed Oil 100% natural origin

A nourishing oil pressed from the seeds of the Madagascar baobab tree. It's used to condition skin and…

References

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.
2PEG-90. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
3PEG-90. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PEG-90