Polyglyceryl Esters

Consumers today expect beauty products that are sustainable and effective. Evonik’s polyglyceryl ester (PGE) portfolio helps formulators meet these demands with biodegradable, plant-based functional ingredients that deliver superior performance. From skin care to cleansing applications, our multifunctional PGE solutions enable PEG-free, mild formulations that align with current beauty trends.

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What Can Polyglyceryl Esters Bring to Your Formulation?

Polyglyceryl esters are non-ionic functional ingredients derived from polyglycerol and fatty acids from renewable sources like sustainably sourced palm and rapeseed oil. The extensive structural possibilities and versatility of this chemistry enable us to offer a wide range of products with diverse properties - spanning from highly hydrophobic to highly hydrophilic. For example, film-forming agents, emulsifiers, emollients, and solubilizers can all be created.

Benefits of PGEs at a glance:

Strong sustainability profile: plant based, biodegradable and superior eco-toxicological profile.
Skin compatibility: moisturization properties and low irritation, ideal for sensitive skin.
Versatility: suitable for a wide range of o/w and w/o emulsions, for pigment containing formulations as well as for surfactant-based systems.

PGEs improve emulsification, enhance skin hydration, and offer solubilization, water-proofing and wear-resistance properties, making them essential for natural and sustainable formulations with applications in skin care, cleansing, color cosmetics and sun care.

Explore Evonik’s Polyglyceryl Ester (PGE) Portfolio

Evonik offers a wide range of polyglyceryl esters which can be used in color cosmetics, skin care and sun care, as well as in hair care and cleansing formulations.

TEGO® Solve 90 MB
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate (and) Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
PEG-free solubilizer for essential and perfume oils in water-based systems. Fully renewable-based, cold-processable, ultra-mild with moisturizing benefits. Ideal for micellar waters, gentle make-up removers, and AP/Deo formulations with high electrolyte content.
TEGO® Care PBS 6 MB
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate (and) Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
PEG-free O/W emulsifier for fluid emulsions, ideal for sun care with high UV filter loads. Renewable-based, excellent stabilization, and energy-saving processing possibilities.
ISOLAN® DisperPlus
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/ Sebacate; Polyhydroxystearic Acid
PEG-free W/O emulsifier and natural dispersing agent for pigment-containing formulations. Enables high pigment loads and stable, homogeneous emulsions with low oil content. Cold-processable and compatible with natural oils, silicones, and alkanes. Provides excellent pigment wetting, outstanding emulsion stability, and a light, non-oily skin feel.
TEGO® FILMSTAR One MB
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate/Sebacate Crosspolymer
Fully bioderived and biodegradable film former for various cosmetic formulations that need water-resistance. Easy to process (pellets) and compatible with diverse formats—lotions, sprays, sticks. Delivers superior sensorial feel, UV protection, and offers a sustainable alternative to fossil-based polymers.

Ready to create sustainable, high-performance formulations?

FAQ - Polyglyceryl Esters (PGEs) explained

Polyglyceryl esters (PGEs) are compounds formed by esterifying polyglycerols with fatty acids. They are known for their multifunctional benefits like excellent emulsifying and solubilizing, as well as their compatibility with a wide range of cosmetic ingredients. Produced from renewable plant sources, they offer an eco-friendly alternative to e.g. polyethylene glycol products (PEGs).

Emulsifiers: For creams, butters, lotions, and sprays.
Sun Care: Improve stability and waterproofness.
Color Cosmetics: Stabilize pigments in foundations and lipsticks.
Surfactants & Cleansers: Mild cleansing in facial washes and shampoos.
Solubilizers: Dissolve different kind of oils in water-based products.
Skin Conditioning Agents: Improve sensory feel and moisturization.

Polyglyceryl esters (PGEs) are a more sustainable alternative to polyethylene glycols (PEGs) because they are sourced from renewable feedstocks and no toxic raw materials are used.

Our sustainably sourced palm oil complies with the typical palm oil certifications (RSPO) with a mass-balanced approach.

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