Glycerol ethoxylate

Glycerol ethoxylate (CAS 31694-55-0) is a polyethoxylated derivative of glycerol produced by reacting glycerol with ethylene oxide to varying degrees of substitution. It is commercially available under designations including Glycereth-7, Glycereth-20, Glycereth-26, G 1285, and Liponic EG-7, with the number indicating the average number of ethylene oxide units per molecule.

In personal care formulations, glycerol ethoxylate functions as a humectant by binding water within the skin matrix and as an emulsifier by reducing interfacial tension between oil and water phases. In pharmaceutical and coating systems, it serves as a solvent carrier for active ingredients and a rheology modifier, adjusting viscosity through its hygroscopic and hydrogen-bonding character.

Glycerol ethoxylate is supplied in grades corresponding to specific ethoxylation levels and is subject to REACH registration within the EU. It carries no assigned E-code. Procurement teams should confirm grade specification, ethylene oxide content compliance, and applicable cosmetic or pharmaceutical regulatory alignment prior to sourcing.