- Comedogenic
- Not rated
- Irritancy
- 1 / 5
- Fungal acne
- Trigger
- Type
- Emulsifier
- INCI name
- PEG-100 Stearate
- Also listed as
- Peg-40 Stearate, Peg-30 Stearate, Peg-8 Stearate
Who should avoid it?
Suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.
Acne-safe breakdown
PEG-100 Stearate scores 0/5, so it is one of the ingredients acne-prone skin can use freely, though it is still a fungal-acne trigger. If a product containing it breaks you out, look at the other ingredients. Our scanner will flag them.
Products that contain PEG-100 Stearate
- CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion
- CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion
- Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
- Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Cleanser
- Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 55
- PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
- Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Fungal-acne safe ingredients list
Print the pore-clogging and fungal-acne cheat sheet →
Frequently asked questions
Is PEG Stearate comedogenic?
PEG Stearate has no standard rating on the comedogenic scale. It is, however, a fungal-acne trigger. PEG fatty-acid esters (stearates, laurates, oleates) are common emulsifiers. They are esters, so yeast enzymes can release the fatty acid, which is why they appear on fungal-acne avoid lists.
Is PEG Stearate safe for fungal acne?
No. PEG Stearate can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.
Does PEG Stearate cause acne?
It is unlikely to. Breakouts usually come from other ingredients in the formula, or from non-cosmetic causes.
What are other names for PEG-100 Stearate?
On labels it can also appear as Peg-40 Stearate, Peg-30 Stearate, Peg-8 Stearate, Peg-50 Stearate, Peg-20 Stearate, Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, Peg-8 Laurate or Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate.