PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate

The safety of the PEG Glyceryl Cocoate ingredients has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that PEG-7, -30, -40, -78, and -80 Glyceryl Cocoate were safe for use in rinse-off products and safe up to 10% in leave-on products.CIR Safety Review: The CIR Expert Panel noted that only limited data on the safety of PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate were found, and no data were available on the higher molecular weight polymers in this group. However, data from previous safety assessments of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), and several fatty acids (Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, and Myristic Acid) were considered relevant and added to the review. PEG has low oral and dermal toxicity. The fatty acids have slight oral toxicity, but little or no dermal toxicity. Dermal application of PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate at a concentration of 50% did not produce irritation in two studies, but did produce slight irritation in another study. Intracutaneous injection of PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate at a concentration of 10% did not produce sensitization. This same concentration was not an ocular irritant. PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate was not phototoxic at a concentration of 50%. No data were available on genotoxicity or carcinogenicity of PEG Glyceryl Cocoate ingredients. PEG was not genotoxic. The fatty acids were generally not genotoxic. Neither PEG nor the fatty acids were carcinogenic.

In clinical studies, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate was neither a dermal irritant nor a photosensitizer. The principal clinical finding related to PEGs is based on data in burn patients. PEGs in an antibacterial ointment applied several times a day to burn patients was associated with kidney toxicity. Kidney effects were not observed in patients with intact skin that use PEG containing ointments. Manufacturers should adjust product formulations containing PEGs to minimize any untoward effects when products are used on skin that is not intact.

Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, may be found in PEG Glyceryl Cocoate ingredients. The potential presence of this material is well known and can be controlled through purification steps to remove it from the ingredients before blending into cosmetic formulations.

Link to more information about what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is doing to assure that cosmetics do not contain unsafe levels of 1,4-dioxane.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cosdiox.html

PEG Glyceryl Cocoate ingredients may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/html/consolidated_d...