Polyethylene glycol is abbreviated as "PEG". A polymer compound formed by intermolecular dehydration condensation of ethylene glycol. The chemical formula is HOCH2(CH2OCH2)nCH2OH. where n is greater than 4. The average molecular weight is 200-7000.

Polyethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters are widely used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Because polyethylene glycol has many excellent properties: water-solubility, non-volatile, physiological inertness, mildness, lubricity, and skin moisturizing, softness, pleasant after-feel, etc. Different relative molecular weight fractions of polyethylene glycol can be selected to change the viscosity, hygroscopicity and organizational structure of the product. Low molecular weight polyethylene Chemicalbook diol (Mr<2000) is suitable for use as wetting agent and consistency regulator for creams, lotions, toothpastes and shaving creams, etc. It is also suitable for unwashed hair care products , imparts silky shine to the hair. Polyethylene glycol with high molecular weight (Mr>2000) is suitable for lipsticks, deodorant sticks, soaps, shaving soaps, foundations and beauty cosmetics. In cleaning agents, polyethylene glycols are also used as suspending and thickening agents.