The ones people ask about
PEG Compounds
PEGs, polyethylene glycols, are synthetic chains attached to another ingredient, often a plant oil or fatty acid. The number, as in PEG-40, describes the chain's length.
- On a list as
- PEG-40 Stearate · PEG-100 Stearate · PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil and others
- What it does
- Emulsifiers and solubilisers
- Where it comes from
- Synthetic, often built on a plant oil
- Vegan?
- Depends on the source
Why it’s in a formula
They help oil and water mix, dissolve fragrance and botanical extracts into water, and give creams a smooth texture.
- The concern about PEGs is 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of making them, which responsible manufacturers remove. We don't have test certificates for these batches.
- They can sting on broken or damaged skin.
Where you’ll find it at Divina
Read from each piece’s published ingredient list. 6 pieces.
Le Teint Nu
Tinted BB Veil — 30ml
$68
Listed as PEG-40 Stearate
Cruelty-free; vegan status not confirmed
Le Fond de Teint Liquide
HD Liquid Foundation — 30ml
$78
Listed as PEG-10 Dimethicone
Vegan, going by its list
Le Sérum Cils
Lash & Brow Serum — 6g
$48
Listed as PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Vegan, going by its list
Questions
Are PEGs bad for skin?
On intact skin they are generally well tolerated. The debate is about manufacturing traces of 1,4-dioxane, which careful production removes, and about applying them to broken skin.
What does the number in PEG-40 mean?
The approximate length of the polyethylene glycol chain. Higher numbers are larger molecules.
How we know: every ingredient list on this site is the manufacturer’s own, read piece by piece and shade by shade, and the pieces above are worked out from those lists each time the site is built. Ingredient names and functions follow the EU’s CosIng database. This page describes cosmetic ingredients; it isn’t medical advice.
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