The PEG Stearates are the polyethylene glycol esters of stearic acid. These nonionic
surfactants are used mainly in cosmetic products as surfactants and emollients at
concentrations up to 25%. The PEG Stearates, whose average number of ethylene oxide
monomers range from 2 to 150, were nonlethal to test animals up to 10 g/kg. They gave
evidence of only low-level skin irritation and minimal eye irritation when tested at
100% concentrations in test animals. PEG-8, 40, and 100 Stearates produced no
significant changes in growth mortality rates, histopathologic observations or
hematologic values in long-term feeding studies. Multiple generation studies of PEG-8
and 40 Stearates were negative for effects on reproduction; the presence or absence
of a carcinogenic effect was not reported.
Clinical studies on the PEG Stearates indicated that these ingredients are neither
irritants nor sensitizers at concentrations of ≥ 25%. There was no evidence of
phototoxicity or photosensitization of PEG-2 or 8 Stearates.
It is concluded that PEG-2, 6, 8, 12, 20, 32, 40, 50, 100, and 150 Stearates are safe
as cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of concentration and use.
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