Common Name(s): Peg-10 isolauryl thioether,peg-10 isolauryl thioether,polyoxyethylene isolauryl thioether,thioether peg surfactant
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Stabilizes emulsions with excellent resistance to breaking down across different ph levels and temperatures, making it a reliable choice for more demanding formula environments.
Why It's Used: Peg-10 isolauryl thioether is selected for its hydrolysis-resistant thioether (c-s-c) linkage โ unlike peg ester analogues, the thioether bond is chemically stable across the full cosmetic ph range and at elevated temperatures, enabling consistent emulsification performance where peg esters would degrade.
How It Works: Peg-10 eo chain โ hydrophilic head; c-s-c thioether linkage โ ph and thermal hydrolysis resistance; branched isolauryl tail โ oil phase anchoring; hlb balance โ o/w emulsification.
Typically Found In: Stable emulsions,specialty formulas,high-temperature processes
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emulsifier
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning,formulation stability aid
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic (sulfide chemistry from isolauryl alcohol and eo).
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Generally well tolerated. thioether derivatives have good skin compatibility.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Emollients,humectants,actives
Avoid Combining With: Strong oxidizing agents (risk of thioether sulfur oxidation to sulfoxide/sulfone)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Thioether (c-s-c) bonds are ph-independent and resist the acid/base hydrolysis that cleaves ester peg surfactants โ the sulfur lone pairs are non-nucleophilic toward water under cosmetic ph conditions, providing >1000-fold hydrolytic stability improvement versus peg ester analogues.
Last Verified: 2026-03-27
Primary Sources: Cosing database,peg-10 isolauryl thioether emulsifier review