Peg-5 rapeseed sterol is an ethoxylated compound obtained from the plant Brassica campestris belonging to the Brassicaceae family.

The name describes the structure of the molecule

• Peg-5 - Indicates that the molecule contains polyethylene glycol with an average number of 5 ethylene oxide units.
• Rapeseed - Refers to the source of the molecule, that is, rapeseed.
• Sterol - Cholesterol-like compounds found in plants.

Description of raw materials used in production

Rapeseed oil - Provides the sterols necessary for production.

Ethylene oxide - Used to ethoxylate the sterols, making them water-soluble and enhancing their emulsifying properties.

Synthesis process

• Extraction - Sterols are extracted from rapeseed oil.
• Ethoxylation - The extracted sterols react with ethylene oxide to form Peg-5 Rapeseed Sterol.

Form and Color

PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol is generally a viscous liquid usually colorless or very light in color.

What it is used for and where

Brassica campestris is a nutritionally rich vegetable and is cultivated all over the world. The phytochemical composition shows interesting compounds for human health such as phenols and ascorbic acid.

Cosmetics

PEG-5 Rapeseed Stero is widely used in cosmetic and skincare products, such as creams, lotions, and makeup products. 

Cleansing agent. Ingredient that cleanses skin without exploiting the surface-active properties that produce a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum.

Surfactant - Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities.

Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and are used to soothe or soften the skin and emulsify, so they need a specific, stabilising ingredient. This ingredient forms a film, lowers the surface tension and makes two immiscible liquids miscible. A very important factor affecting the stability of the emulsion is the amount of the emulsifying agent. Emulsifiers have the property of reducing the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improving the stability of the emulsion and also directly influencing the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating the filmometric performance.

Applications

Emulsifier - Promotes the formation of stable emulsions, helping to mix oil and water phases in products such as creams and lotions.

Skin Conditioning Agent - Due to its emollient properties, it can give the skin a feeling of softness and hydration.

Hair Care Products - Might be found in conditioners and hair treatments to improve their spreadability and feel.

Since the PEG (Polyethylene glycol) family is very numerous and can be found in cosmetic, industrial, pharmaceutical, medical and other products, we need to make an introductory statement on the subject, which is rather complex from a safety point of view because these products not only come into contact with the skin, but, as in the case of medical products, are ingested.

PEGs (polyethylene glycol) polymerise condensed ethylene oxide and water and are referred to as polyethylene glycols, but are actually complex chemical components, polymers bonded together. For example, plastic is polyethylene and has a hard consistency, while polyethylene combined with glycol forms a liquid. PEGylation is produced not only as etherification, but also as transesterification, which is the transformation of an alcohol by an ester.

The number appearing after the abbreviation PEG represents the molecular weight and the higher this number is, the less it penetrates the skin.

Safety.

The term 'eth' refers to the ethoxylation reaction with ethylene oxide after which residues of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, chemical compounds considered carcinogenic, may remain. The degree of safety therefore depends on the degree of purity of the compound obtained. At present, no manufacturer is known to provide this information on the label.