PEG 6000 Distearate (PEG-150 STEARATE)

 

CAS Number: 9005-08-7 

 

PEG 6000 Distearate is a versatile and practical thickening agent commonly used in personal care and cosmetic products. 

PEG 6000 Distearate is often used in shampoos, gels, creams, lotions, and other products to improve their texture and stability. 

PEG 6000 Distearate helps to create a smooth, consistent consistency that is easy to apply and feels pleasant on the skin.  

Synonyms: PEG-150 DISTEARATE; POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 6000 DISTEARATE; peg 6000 distearate; polyethylene glycol 150 distearate; PEG-150 stearate; PEG-150 distearyl ether; Polyethylene glycol stearate; PEG stearate; PEG-150 DS; Distearyl polyethylene glycol; PEG 150 distearyl ether; PEG-150 distearyl ether distearate; Distearic Acid Polyethyleneglycol Ester (on average 150 units of EO)

PEG 6000 Distearate is well known for its thickening abilities in some formulations, particularly those based on amphoterics and soaps.

PEG 6000 Distearate also has excellent emulsifying properties, helping to keep oil-based and water-based ingredients mixed in a stable, homogeneous mixture. 

PEG 6000 Distearate is also highly effective at dispersing pigments, fragrances, and other active ingredients evenly throughout a product, ensuring that they are delivered effectively and consistently.

Chem/IUPAC Name: Poly (oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),. alpha. -(1-oxooctadecyl)-. omega. -[(1-oxooctadecyl)oxy]-

PEG 6000 Distearate

PEG 6000 Distearate is polyethylene glycol diester of stearic acid. 

It is in the form of solid, white, off-white waxy flakes and is used as a thickener, emulsifier, and solubilizer in cosmetics and personal care products. 

Typical concentration: 0.5-50%.

PEG 6000 Distearate) is defined as the polyethylene glycol (PEG) diester of stearic acid, wherein the PEG has an average degree of polymerization of 150 oxyethylene repeat units corresponding to an average molecular weight (MW) of 6,600 g/mol. 

What is PEG 6000 Distearate used for?

PEG 6000 Distearate is used mainly as a thickener in shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, face washes, hand washes, shaving creams, baby-care products, etc.

PEG 6000 Distearate is a polyethylene glycol diester of stearic acid. HLB 18.9 (gives oil-in-water emulsions). 

PEG 6000 Distearate has an HLB value of about 18; thus, it can also be used as a nonionic emulsifier for o/w systems. 

In addition, the use of PEG 6000 Distearate in color cosmetics, hair conditioners, and shaving preparations is also known.

Origin

PEG 6000 Distearate is produced by esterifying stearic acid, which is derived from palm kernel oil or other vegetable oils.

What does PEG 6000 Distearate do in a formulation?

Emulsifying

Viscosity controlling

Safety profile

PEG 6000 Distearate is designated as safe to be used in products at a concentration of 5.0%.

Technical profile

Property Values

Boiling Point: 492-497°C

Melting Point: 52-57°C

Hydroxyl Value: 5 max.

Solubility: Soluble in water and ethanol

Insoluble in mineral and vegetable oil

Saponification Value: 165-175 mgKOH/g

To overcome the need for the hot processing of formulas containing PEG 6000 Distearate to achieve effective dissolution, raw material suppliers also provide the ingredient in concentrated aqueous blends with typical anionic, amphoteric, and/or nonionic surfactants such as sodium trideceth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, and PEG-80 sorbitan laurate. 

Such blends simplify formulating by premixing commonly employed ingredients, such as the amphoteric and nonionic surfactants used in baby shampoos, and enabling ambient-temperature processing.