Polyethylene Glycol 400 (PEG-400)

Polyethylene glycol series products are non-toxic, non-irritating, slightly bitter in taste, with good water solubility and excellent compatibility with many organic components. They possess outstanding lubricity, moisturizing properties, dispersibility, and function as adhesives, antistatic agents, and softeners. They are widely used in industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemical fibers, rubber, plastics, papermaking, paints, electroplating, pesticides, metal processing, and food processing.
Chinese Name: 聚乙二醇 (Jù yǐ èr chún)
English Name: Polyethylene glycol, PEG
Also Known As: Polymer of α-hydro-ω-hydroxy(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), etc.
Chemical Formula: HO(CH₂CH₂O)nH
CAS Registry Number: 25322-68-3
EINECS Registry Number: 200-849-9
Boiling Point: >250°C
Flash Point: 270°C
Main Applications
Polyethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters are extensively used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Due to polyethylene glycol's combination of many excellent properties: water solubility, non-volatility, physiological inertness, mildness, lubricity, and the ability to moisturize, soften the skin, and provide a pleasant after-feel, different relative molecular weight fractions of polyethylene glycol can be selected to adjust the product's viscosity, hygroscopicity, and structure. Low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (Mr<2000) is suitable as a wetting agent and consistency regulator, used in creams, emulsions, toothpaste, and shaving creams, and is also suitable for non-rinse hair care products, imparting a silky shine to hair. High molecular weight polyethylene glycol (Mr>2000) is suitable for lipsticks, deodorant sticks, soaps, shaving soaps, foundations, and beauty cosmetics. In cleaning agents, polyethylene glycol is also used as a suspending agent and thickener. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as a base for ointments, emulsions, creams, lotions, and suppositories. Commercially available polyethylene glycol that meets food and drug standards (such as Polyethylene Glycol NF, Dow Chemical Co.) is more suitable for cosmetic use. Methoxy polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol have applications similar to polyethylene glycol.
Polyethylene glycol is widely used in various pharmaceutical preparations, such as injections, topical preparations, ophthalmic preparations, oral and rectal preparations. Solid grades of polyethylene glycol can be mixed with liquid polyethylene glycol to adjust viscosity for topical ointments; polyethylene glycol mixtures can be used as suppository bases; aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol can serve as suspending agents or to adjust the viscosity of other suspension media; when combined with other emulsifiers, polyethylene glycol enhances emulsion stability. Additionally, polyethylene glycol is used as a film coating agent, tablet lubricant, controlled-release material, etc.