It's A Chemical World (Part 1 - PEG)

(This series about chemicals will consist of informative articles. I am just writing the facts about it. I am not promoting or condemning chemicals. They exist everywhere. We just have to make the best decisions and live to the best we can.)

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PEG is polyethylene glycol. It is a petroleum derivative compound. The FDA classifies it as an additive (which is generally recognised as safe). It is colourless, odourless and is almost tasteless.

Polyethylene on its own is plastic. When combined with glycol, it becomes a thick and sticky goo. PEGs are usually followed by a number (PEG 100). The number represents the molecular weight of the PEG. Cosmetic products use PEGs with lighter molecular weights as it is easier to penetrate the skin barrier.

PEG-9 stearate means polyethylene glycol is bound to acid stearate. (Acid stearate is used to protect the skin against water loss and helps boost up the skin's protective barrier.)

PEG is used in cosmetics and personal care products. It functions as thickeners (increase the thickness of the oil portion of cosmetics), solvents, softeners and moisture carriers. When it acts as a moisture carrier, this means it acts as a vehicle to help carry other ingredients deeper into the skin. It is a penetration enhancer that allows substances to be absorbed more readily through the skin.

PEG is also used in toothpastes. Its role is a dispersant. It prevents clumping.

PEG also functions to keep ingredients stable and is quite similar to the function of glycerin.

Medically, it is the basis of quite a number of laxatives. It causes water to be retained with the stool.

In food, it is a food additive. It functions as an anti-foaming agent during the processing of food products. It is labelled as E1521 in the EU or just 1521 in other countries.

According to this website, depending on how PEG is manufactured, PEG may be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. These are long lasting and do not degrade easily. *The International Agency for Research on Cancer states that ethylene oxide is a confirmed human carcinogen. It is associated with breast cancer.

In the event of cuts, it is best to not use creams/gels with PEGs as its contaminants may be more readily absorbed into open wounds.

There was a case which was published in the New York Times in January this year, where an old man had anaphylactic episodes, which in the end was traced back to PEG. Click HERE to read more about it.

*taken from HERE

To read in detail about PEG, click Everything You Need To Know about PEG Family.