Surfactant ingredient
PEG-8 Isostearate
PEG-8 Isostearate is a polyethylene glycol (8 EO units) ester of isostearic acid. It is a lipophilic surfactant used as a co-emulsifier and solubilizer in cleansing oil and balm formulations. The shorter PEG chain (8 units vs 10 or 20) makes it more hydrophobic than longer-chain analogues, contributing more to the oil-phase stabilization than to water rinseability.
emulsifyingsolubilizingskin-conditioning
Benefits
- ✓Short-chain PEG ester of isostearic acid with a lower HLB value than PEG-10/PEG-20 analogues — functions as a lipophilic co-emulsifier in water-in-oil or oil-in-water cleansing formulations
- ✓Contributes to the smooth, skin-conditioning after-feel of cleansing balms by maintaining a light emollient film before rinsing
- ✓Isostearic acid's branched chain provides good oxidative stability compared to straight-chain fatty acid esters
Watch for
- ⚠Ethoxylated ingredient — trace 1,4-dioxane risk at manufacturing; cosmetic-grade meets regulatory limits
Compatibility
✓ Works well with
+ PEG-10 Isostearate+ PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate+ Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
