PEG-4 is a universal-purpose surfactant used in the beauty, construction, chemical and food industries. As an ingredient of products, it acts as a humectant, solvent, anti-electrostatic agent and lubricant. Due to its properties and a number of advantages, the substance is readily chosen by consumers for diverse applications.
The polyethylene glycol, ethoxylated with 4 moles of ethylene oxide, has an INCI name PEG-4. Its chemical name: polyoxyethylene glycol is also used. The CAS number of the compound is 25322-68-3. It is a non-ionic surfactant used mainly in the cosmetic industry. PEG-4 has a synthetic origin.
At room temperature (20 to 25ᵒC), it is a liquid with a faint odour. pH of a 10% solution ranges from 4.6 to 7.4, i.e. it is slightly acidic to neutral. Marketed products of PEG-4, such as POLIkol 200 (in the product range offered by the PCC Group) contain over 99% of the active substance. Water is usually an impurity in such products and its content generally does not exceed a maximum of 0.5%. The molar mass of PEG-4 is approx. 200 g/mol. The density at the temperatures of 20ᵒC is approx. 1.120 g/mL, while the solidification point is below 0ᵒC. The surfactant dissolves well in water and also in organic solvents such as low aliphatic alcohols, ethyl ether or chloroform. PEG-4 has a relatively low viscosity.
In cosmetics and care products, PEG-4 has several essential functions:
PEG-4 is also responsible for modifying the rheology of active substances in cosmetic products.
Besides the application in the cosmetic industry, PEG-4, due to its properties, is also used in industrial cleaning and metalworking. As it has anti-electrostatic effects, it is used in systems for removing industrial electrostatic charges from cleaned surfaces.
PEG-4 is an ingredient of substrates used for curing concrete and cement mortars. In addition, it reduces water losses and thus facilitates much more efficient binding of the material in mixtures. With the right dosage, you can obtain higher mechanical strength of the hardened concrete. It is also used in the design of self-curing concretes.
PEG-4 is approved as an indirect food additive based on the CFR 21 lists: 175.105, 175.210, 176.180 and 176.200.
In the chemical industry, PEG-4 is used for cleaning reactors that contain post-reaction residues from the polyurethane production process. With the surfactant added to cleaners, the reactor cleaning is much faster and effective.
PEG-4 is a safe ingredient of cosmetics. It does not exhibit mutagenic, toxic or carcinogenic effects. It does not cause any unwanted allergic reactions or irritations. Similarly to other compounds that belong to the broad group of substances called PEGs, it has very good dermatological properties that determine its use in care products.
