PEG-75 is a form of polyethylene glycol with a specific average molecular weight. It is a water-soluble polymeric compound commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products. Due to its solubilizing and moisturizing properties, 

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• PEG.stands for Polyethylene Glycol, a synthetic polymer derived from ethylene glycol. It is known for its versatility and compatibility with many other ingredients.
• 75 indicates the average molecular weight of the polymer, which in this case is around 75 units of ethylene oxide. This number helps determine the physical properties of the PEG, such as solubility and viscosity.

Raw Materials and Their Functions

Ethylene Oxide. A chemical compound used to ethoxylate other compounds. It is the primary component in the production of polyethylene glycols (PEG) like PEG-75, where the number indicates the average molecular weight of the polymer.

Water. Used as the reaction medium in the polymerization of ethylene oxide to form PEG.

Industrial Chemical Synthesis of PEG-75

• Preparation. The production of PEG-75 begins with the reaction of ethylene oxide in the presence of water.
• Polymerization. Ethylene oxide reacts with water in a polymerization process to form polyethylene glycol chains of varying lengths.
• Reaction Control. The reaction is carefully controlled to achieve the desired molecular weight, in this case, corresponding to PEG-75.
• Purification. After polymerization, the product is purified to remove any impurities or residual monomers.
• Quality Control and Packaging. The purified PEG-75 undergoes quality checks to ensure it meets the required standards

Form and Color

 Typically appears as a viscous liquid, colorless or slightly yellow.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Binder agent. Ingredient that is used in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical products as an anti-caking agent with the function of making the product in which it is incorporated silky, compact and homogenous. The binder, either natural such as mucilage, gums and starches or chemical, may be in the form of a powder or liquid.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis.  The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

Solvent. It is the substance for dissolving or dispersing surfactants, oils, dyes, flavourings, bactericidal preservatives in solution.In fact, it dissolves other components present in a cosmetic formulation. Solvents are generally liquid (aqueous and non-aqueous).

CAS  25322-68-3

Safety

It is an ethoxylated product, but since 75 ethylene oxide units are not easily absorbed through the stratum corneum, it seems unlikely that skin penetration would cause damage.