Methoxy PEG-16

INCI: METHOXY PEG-16

CAS Number
9004-74-4 (generic methoxy polyethylene glycol series)
Function
Solvent, humectant, consistency modifier - liquid to wax-like at ~16 EO units (~700 g/mol)
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status permitted
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status permitted
US Notes Allowed - falls under the general PEG family reviewed by CIR as safe

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Same class-wide PEG concerns: potential ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane residuals; penetration enhancement on compromised skin. At 16 EO units, this sits at the liquid-to-wax transition zone; good water solubility and hygroscopicity; serves as glycerol substitute in aqueous formulations

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Concern Level: Moderate

Regulatory Flags

peg-ingredient

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Methoxy PEG-16 safe in cosmetics?

Same class-wide PEG concerns: potential ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane residuals; penetration enhancement on compromised skin. At 16 EO units, this sits at the liquid-to-wax transition zone; good water solubility and hygroscopicity; serves as glycerol substitute in aqueous formulations The EU classifies Methoxy PEG-16 as "permitted". Safety rating: MODERATE.

Is Methoxy PEG-16 allowed in the EU?

Methoxy PEG-16 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Methoxy PEG-16 do in cosmetics?

Methoxy PEG-16 functions as: Solvent, humectant, consistency modifier - liquid to wax-like at ~16 EO units (~700 g/mol). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9004-74-4 (generic methoxy polyethylene glycol series).

What is the Margin of Safety for Methoxy PEG-16?

not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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