PEG 7 Glyceryl Cocoate

Product Information

CosmySupplies supplies cosmetic-grade PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate (INCI: PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, CAS 68201-46-7) in India. A colourless to light yellow liquid derived from coconut oil and glycerin. Used as a mild solubiliser, emulsifier, and skin conditioning agent in facial cleansers, makeup removers, micellar formulations, baby care products, shampoos, and light leave-on emulsions. HLB approximately 10. Typical use level 1 to 10%. CIR reviewed safe in rinse-off and up to 10% in leave-on. COA available on request. Shipped from Bengaluru across India. Available at cosmysupplies.com.

INCI: PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate | CAS: 68201-46-7 | EINECS: 614-376-4 | Grade: Cosmetic

Form: Colourless liquid | HLB: approximately 10 | Saponification Value: 90.0 to 105.0 | Hydroxyl Value: 175.0 to 195.0

Dioxane: max 5 ppm | Ethylene Oxide: max 1 ppm 

Functions (EU CosIng / COSING REF 77274): Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant, Solubilising

Primary applications: mild cleanser, makeup remover, solubiliser, micellar formulation, baby care

Secondary applications: light O/W emulsification, hair conditioning, foam enhancer, superfatting agent

CIR reviewed: safe in rinse-off; safe up to 10% in leave-on products

NOT PERMITTED in COSMOS-certified formulations. Not for use on damaged or broken skin.

Benefits

Solubilises essential oils and fragrances in water without cloudiness

The most common formulation frustration when adding essential oils or fragrance to a toner, micellar water, or aqueous gel is cloudiness or phase separation. PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, with an HLB of approximately 10, sits in the optimal range for transparent solubilisation of low concentrations of lipophilic ingredients in water-based formulas. At 1 to 3% PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, you can solubilise approximately 0.5 to 1% essential oil into a fully aqueous base and achieve a clear, stable solution. This is the single most common application in DIY and indie brand formulation for this ingredient, and the reason it appears frequently in toners, facial mists, and micellar cleansers alongside active botanical oils.

Mild enough for baby care and sensitive skin cleansers

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is classified as exceptionally gentle on skin and eyes by Greenway Biotech, and this is consistent across multiple supplier and industry references. Its mechanism of cleansing is lipid-lifting without stripping: it lifts oils, makeup, and impurities off the skin surface without disrupting the skin's natural lipid barrier to the degree that harsher surfactants do. It does not cause dryness or post-wash tightness at typical use levels. This combination of effective cleansing and minimal irritation potential makes it one of the standard choices for tear-free baby shampoo and body wash formulations, and for adult sensitive-skin facial cleansers where the CIR-confirmed mildness profile is a formulation and marketing advantage.

Works as both rinse-off cleanser and leave-on emulsifier 

Most emulsifiers and surfactants are optimised for either rinse-off or leave-on applications. PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate works in both formats. In rinse-off cleansers, it functions as the primary mild surfactant with no CIR-imposed concentration limit. In leave-on products including moisturisers and hair conditioners, it is safe up to 10% per the CIR Expert Panel assessment. For a small brand building both a cleanser and a moisturiser from the same ingredient inventory, this dual-format capability reduces the number of distinct emulsifier stock items required.

Superfatting action

Unlike standard surfactants that simply remove oils and then leave the skin surface without a protective lipid film, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate acts as a superfatting agent. It deposits a lightweight coconut-derived lipid layer on the skin and hair surface during the cleansing process. This lipid deposition improves post-wash skin feel, reduces the tight or dry sensation often associated with surfactant-based cleansers, and contributes to a soft, smooth skin feel without greasiness. In hair products, this superfatting action adds light shine and improves combability after washing, making it a valued co-ingredient in both shampoos and conditioning cleansers.

Foam enhancer

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate contributes to foam quality in surfactant-based formulations. When added to a standard SLES or cocamidopropyl betaine cleanser base at 1 to 3%, it produces a richer, creamier, more voluminous foam compared to the base formula alone. This is a direct sensory quality improvement that consumers associate with premium cleansing products. The foam enhancement function makes it a practical co-ingredient in facial foaming cleansers, shampoos, body washes, and bubble baths.

Reduces TEWL and supports the skin barrier in leave-on 

At leave-on use concentrations of up to 10%, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate provides emollient function by reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). It forms a lightweight, non-occlusive barrier on the skin surface that slows moisture evaporation without leaving a heavy or greasy residue. This function is confirmed in the Greenway TDS and corroborated across multiple formulation references. For a moisturiser or serum formulation where a non-greasy emollient is needed to support barrier function without adding a heavy oil phase, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate at 1 to 5% in the aqueous phase is a clean-label, easy-to-incorporate option.

Applications and Usage Rates

For essential oil and fragrance solubilisation in aqueous formulas

Use at 2 to 4 times the volume of the oil being solubilised as a starting ratio. For example, to solubilise 0.5% essential oil into a toner, start with 1 to 2% PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate. Mix PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate with the essential oil first to form a clear pre-blend, then add this blend to the water phase with stirring. A clear, stable solution should form within seconds. If cloudiness persists, increase the PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate to essential oil ratio. 

For mild facial cleansers and gel cleansers

Use at 1 to 6% in aqueous cleanser bases. In a gel or foam cleanser built on a SLES or cocamidopropyl betaine primary surfactant base, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate at 2 to 4% improves foam quality, adds a skin conditioning feel to the lather, and reduces post-wash dryness. It can also be used as the primary or sole surfactant in ultra-mild cleansers intended for sensitive or barrier-compromised skin at 3 to 6%, where its gentle cleansing action is sufficient to remove daily impurities and light makeup.

For makeup removers and oil cleansers

Use at 3 to 6% in aqueous makeup removers and micellar formulations. PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate effectively solubilises and lifts oil-based makeup, waterproof mascara, and pigmented cosmetics from the skin surface. In a micellar water format, 3 to 5% PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate in water with a mild cationic or non-ionic co-surfactant creates a stable, clear micellar solution that removes makeup without the need for rubbing. For a cleansing balm format that transforms to a milky emulsion on contact with water, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate at 4 to 6% acts as the emulsifying agent that facilitates the oil-to-water phase inversion during rinsing.

For baby shampoo and body wash

Use at 1 to 4% in baby care rinse-off formulations. PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is confirmed suitable for tear-free baby shampoos and body washes per Greenway TDS application guidance and multiple industry formulation references. Its exceptionally mild cleansing profile and low irritation potential at typical use levels make it one of the standard choices for baby care product development. Combine with amphoteric surfactants such as cocamidopropyl betaine and non-ionic co-surfactants to build a complete baby wash system.

For shampoos and conditioning cleansers

Use at 2 to 5% in hair shampoos and conditioning cleansers. PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate provides mild cleansing, foam enhancement, and hair conditioning in a single ingredient. It is particularly effective in low-surfactant or co-wash formats where conditioning during cleansing is the primary objective. In standard shampoos, it acts as a co-surfactant and superfatting agent that improves post-wash softness and reduces scalp dryness.

For leave-on moisturisers, serums, and hair products

Use at 1 to 10% in leave-on products. CIR has reviewed PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate as safe in leave-on formulations up to 10%. In moisturisers and serums, use at 1 to 5% in the water phase as a mild emollient and TEWL-reducing agent. In hair leave-in conditioners and hair serums, use at 1 to 4% to add light shine, improve combability, and provide a non-greasy conditioning feel. Do not exceed 10% in any leave-on product.

How to Use

Addition method

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is a liquid and can be added directly to formulations as supplied. No pre-melting required. For solubilisation applications, pre-blend the PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate with the oil or fragrance before adding to the aqueous phase. For cleansing and emulsion applications, add directly to the water phase or to the bulk formula at the appropriate production stage.

Temperature

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is thermally stable and can be added at room temperature or in a heated system. For emulsion formulations, add during the water phase preparation or at the cool-down phase below 40 degrees Celsius. There is no minimum processing temperature requirement.

Leave-on concentration limit

Do not exceed 10% in any leave-on product. This limit is established by the CIR Expert Panel safety assessment. For rinse-off products, no maximum use level has been set by CIR at standard cosmetic use concentrations. Greenway TDS recommended range of 1 to 6% represents good practice for most formulation types.

Penetration enhancement consideration

The CIR 1999 safety assessment noted that PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate can enhance the skin penetration of other chemicals. When formulating products that contain actives at high concentrations, particularly actives that carry a cautionary note at elevated dermal absorption levels, be aware that PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate in the same formula may increase the rate and extent of absorption of those actives. This is not a reason to avoid the ingredient but it is a formulation consideration that should be factored into product safety assessment.

Claims You Can Make

For your label:

Coconut-Derived Surfactant | Mild Cleansing Agent | Skin Conditioning | Suitable for Sensitive Skin | Gentle Enough for Baby Care | Tear-Free Formula Suitable | Non-Greasy Emollient

For your formulator brief:

INCI: PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate | CAS 68201-46-7 | EINECS 614-376-4 | COSING REF 77274 | HLB approximately 10  | Functions: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant, Solubilising | CIR reviewed: safe in rinse-off, safe up to 10% in leave-on  | Dioxane max 5 ppm  | Ethylene oxide max 1 ppm | Saponification Value 90.0 to 105.0  | Hydroxyl Value 175.0 to 195.0 | Acid Value max 5.00 | Iodine Value max 5  | Shelf life two years 

For formulation support or sample requests, contact the CosmySupplies team.

WhatsApp| Email: info@cosmysupplies.com

Technical Information

Pairs Well With

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Mild amphoteric co-surfactant standard in baby care and sensitive skin cleanser systems. PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate at 2 to 4% alongside cocamidopropyl betaine at 5 to 10% builds a complete, gentle foaming cleanser base with excellent skin feel.

Glycerin

Humectant for water-phase moisturisation in both cleansers and leave-on products. Glycerin at 3 to 5% alongside PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate in a facial cleanser adds skin softening and reduces the risk of post-wash dryness.

Niacinamide

High-use skin conditioning active in leave-on serums and lightweight moisturisers. Compatible with PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate in aqueous systems. Note: given the penetration enhancement potential of PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, the formulator should be aware that niacinamide absorption may be increased when both are present in a leave-on formula.

Panthenol

Hair conditioning and skin moisturisation active in both rinse-off and leave-on formats. Panthenol at 1 to 3% alongside PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate in a shampoo or conditioning cleanser builds a dual moisturising and conditioning effect.

Allantoin

Skin soothing and healing active in gentle cleansers and sensitive skin formulations. Allantoin at 0.1 to 0.5% in a PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate-based cleanser adds skin-repair claims to a mild cleansing base.

Sodium PCA

Natural moisturising factor humectant for leave-on moisturisers and hair leave-in treatments. Compatible with PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate in the water phase. Sodium PCA at 1 to 2% alongside PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate in a leave-in hair serum builds lightweight conditioning.