PEG-32

What PEG-32 is & what it does

PEG-32 is a polyethylene glycol with an average of about 32 repeating ethylene oxide units, supplied as a water-soluble, waxy material. In cosmetic and sunscreen formulas it works mainly as a humectant and solvent, helping carry other ingredients and giving the product a smoother texture. As a PEG it is fully synthetic and valued for its water-binding ability.

What does PEG-32 do in skincare?

PEG-32 acts mainly as a humectant and solvent, helping bind water and carry other ingredients through the formula. It can also smooth out the texture of creams and sunscreens. It is a water-soluble polyethylene glycol.

Is PEG-32 safe?

PEG ingredients like PEG-32 are commonly used in cosmetics and are generally considered safe as used in finished products. People with very sensitive or compromised skin sometimes prefer to avoid PEGs, which is a personal choice. This is general information and not medical advice.

Is PEG-32 natural or synthetic?

PEG-32 is synthetic. It is a polyethylene glycol, made by linking ethylene oxide units into a chain of a defined average size. It does not occur in this form in nature.

Sunscreens with PEG-32

We rate 31 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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