Glycereth

The name 'glycereth- is used to describe a PEG (polyethylene glycol) ester of glycerol (glycerol). The number after the name "glycereth-" indicates the average number of molecular units (-CH2-CH2-O-), e.g. glycereth-7, glycereth-12, glycereth-31, etc. The consistency (liquid to solid) and chemical-physical properties of the glyceret derivative depend on the respective number of molecular units (see also polyglycerol esters).

In cosmetic applications the esters of different carboxylic acids with the different PEG derivatives are used as emulsifiers, surfactants, emulsion stabilizers (e.g. glycereth oleate, glycereth cocoate, glycereth 5 laureate etc.)

The allergological relevance of the individual glycereth derivatives is not known.