PEG-3 Distearate

PEG-3 Distearate is the polyethylene glycol diester of stearic acid, a nonionic surfactant. Cleansers and creams use it to emulsify oils with water, boost rinse-off, and create uniform textures in milks, lotions, and scrubs.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
Helps cleansers lift away makeup while keeping skin comfortable.
Category
Emulsifying, Cleansing
Type
Emulsifier

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Good

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Helps lift away impurities and makeup while keeping skin comfortable. Promotes creamy, cohesive textures that feel pleasant during use.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Common in facial cleansers, body washes, and lotions to blend oils into water and help formulas wash away easily; also used in scrubs to keep particles evenly dispersed.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

Generally safe for cosmetic use, but as a surfactant it can cause mild skin or eye irritation at higher concentrations or with prolonged contact. PEG materials are manufactured to limit residual impurities (such as 1,4-dioxane) per industry standards.

Is PEG-3 Distearate a Good Ingredient?

Rated Good for its dependable nonionic emulsifying and cleansing performance, which creates uniform, creamy textures and improves rinse-off. It's widely used and generally compatible with many formula types, though it doesn't offer anything beyond that formulation utility.

Products with PEG-3 Distearate

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