PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides

PEG / Ethoxylated

What is PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides?

PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides arises from macadamia integrifolia seed oil, where glycerides—glycerol esters of the oil's fatty acids like oleic and palmitoleic—are chemically modified by adding 16 units of polyethylene glycol. This ethoxylation imparts water solubility and amphiphilic properties, blending lipophilic and hydrophilic traits. Common in leave-on moisturizers, rinse-off cleansers, shampoos, and conditioners, it serves primarily in personal care formulations. As an emollient, it lubricates the skin surface, enhancing softness and reducing friction. In its surfactant role, it decreases interfacial tension, promoting even product distribution and light foaming. Its emulsifying action creates a protective film at oil-water boundaries, maintaining blend stability for uniform creams and lotions over time.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 3 View on EWG →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Emollient
Softens and smooths skin by filling in surface roughness and improving slip; can also help reduce moisture loss when paired with occlusives and film formers.
Surfactant
Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.
Emulsifying agent
Enables stable mixing of oil and water phases by forming an interfacial film, helping create lotions, creams, and cleansers with consistent texture.

Benefits

Delivers emollient softening to improve skin smoothness and slip.

Enables emulsifying for consistent textures in lotions and cleansers.

Supports surfactant functions for better spreading and mild cleansing.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
Users of daily moisturizers wanting enhanced skin feel.
Those sensitive to ethoxylated or PEG ingredients.
People applying emulsion-based products like creams for stability.
People opting for formulations without synthetic surfactants.
Individuals with normal skin seeking added hydration retention.
Users concerned about potential trace contaminants in PEGs.

Safety Notes

  • Assessed safe by CIR for cosmetic use at typical levels, with low irritation in tests.
  • Non-comedogenic rating of 0, minimizing pore-clogging risk.

Frequently Asked Questions about PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides

What does PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides do in products?

It softens skin as an emollient, mixes oil and water as an emulsifier, and aids cleansing as a surfactant.

Is it suitable for acne-prone skin?

With a comedogenic rating of 0, it poses low risk of clogging pores.

Are there safety concerns with this ingredient?

Rated moderate hazard overall, safe per expert reviews when used as intended in cosmetics.