The use of polyethylene glycol is very common in the cosmetics industry. One of the main reasons why it is used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry is because it has a very low level of toxicity. It is soluble in water and in numerous organic solvents such as alcohols, glycols, glycol ethers, ketones and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Within all the uses it has in cosmetics, we can highlight some points.

It works as an emulsifier because it manages to stabilize the mixture of two compounds that could not be combined with each other. In creams, for example, a water compound and a fatty compound remain stable.

As we mentioned before, they are soluble in water and in different organic liquids, therefore, the higher their molecular weight, the more they dissolve in water; that is why they are easy to remove from the skin, using non-aggressive cleansers or directly with water. 

It is important to know that polyethylene glycol works as an absorbent for some cosmetic products, and in turn, forms a protective film on the skin that temporarily covers wrinkles or pores, to improve the appearance of the skin.

Polyethylene glycol is considered biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic compared to other solvents. In fact, it is also used for medical purposes, since, like other silicones, they are considered inert, and in them, if they are not mixed with other components, they cannot proliferate dangerous microorganisms.

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