If you read the labels on your personal care products, you will likely see the acronym PEG in the list of ingredients.
PEG stands for polyethylene glycol and is a compound you will find it is fairly common. But just how safe is polyethylene glycol?
Let’s take a look at PEG and its well-documented side effects. We also review some suspected side effects for which studies are just emerging.
What Is polyethylene glycol?
Polyethylene glycol is a compound derived from the by-products resulting from the refinement of petroleum, natural gas, or coal. Polyethylene glycol is not a single chemical entity. It is a category of compounds in which polyethylene and glycol have been bonded together.
Different forms of polyethylene glycol are typically noted by a number after the abbreviation “PEG,” such as PEG-100, PEG-3350, and so on. This number represents the molecular weight of that specific compound.
Polyethylene glycol compounds are hydrophilic, which means they dissolve in water and tend to attract water. Because of these characteristics, polyethylene glycol has been utilized in many day-to-day products.
Polyethylene glycol use
Polyethylene glycol can be highly useful and is found in a wide range of products such as:
Personal Care Products:
PEGs are regularly used in cosmetics as:
- Emollients: Which help lubricate and soften skin or hair
- Emulsifiers: These act as an agent to help water-based and oil-based ingredients combine properly
- Depth enhancers: Serving as a vehicle to help other ingredients penetrate into deeper levels of the skin or hair
- Polyethylene glycol’s hydrophilic properties make it a highly practical compound in countless cosmetic and personal care products – from make-up to hair shampoo, and from anti-aging creams to baby wipes.
PEGs are generally safe when used in topical personal care products.
Pharmaceuticals:
PEG is also widely used in the production of pharmaceutical products, including:
- As bases for ointments and creams
- As vehicles within drug capsules
- Binders in tablets and pills
- Suppositories
- Suspension aids in liquid prescriptions
- As cell-penetrating enhancers in vaccines
Osmotic Laxatives:
One of the most widespread uses of PEG is in a class of medications known as osmotic laxatives, which are used to treat constipation. Because of PEG’s hydrophilic nature, it can draw fluid into the intestines and help hydrate stool. This allows for easier passage during bowel movements.
When used as a laxative, polyethylene glycol is typically taken in powder form mixed with water or juice and is found under brand names including:
- ClearLax
- GaviLAX
- Gialax
- GlycoLax
- HealthyLax
- MiraLax
- Sunmark ClearLax
While found extensively in personal use products like prescriptions, cosmetics, and soaps, PEG can also be found in other places.
Industrial Uses:
PEG can be found in a variety of industrial processes and products, such as:
- Wood preservation
- Printing
- Chemical mixtures
- Textiles
- Leather processing
- Plastics
- Resins
- Paper
- Ceramics
- Glass
- Rubber
So, polyethylene glycol is highly useful, but it has also caused some controversy – having been linked to some undesirable effects with frequent ingestion or contamination.
Is polyethylene glycol toxic to humans?
The answer is complex. Polyethylene glycol derivatives in and of themselves are not necessarily toxic or dangerous. The real concern surrounding polyethylene glycol is three-fold:
Contamination: PEGs are widely utilized for their ability to enhance penetration and absorption. But this also means that prolonged use or high doses of PEG can significantly enhance your body’s absorption of other toxins and harmful compounds that are found alongside PEGs or within the environment.
Pollution: The process to produce polyethylene glycol requires a chemical reaction known as ethoxylation and the use of compounds known as ethylene oxide and dioxane. Both chemicals have well-documented toxic effects on humans.
Lack of studies: Because polyethylene glycol has numerous derivatives and molecular weights, extensive studies have only been conducted on a handful of different PEG compounds. There is limited information on the real impact of PEGs as a whole and more PEG toxicity research is needed to truly understand this compound’s effects on the human body.
Despite a lack of studies or a clear picture of the exact impact PEG compounds have on our bodies, we do know that this compound can have some negative side effects.
Polyethylene glycol side effects
Some of the confirmed and documented side effects of polyethylene glycol include:
Digestive issues: If taken orally, polyethylene glycol can cause stomach upset such as diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Electrolyte imbalances: Because of its ability to disrupt the flow of water, PEG can also cause electrolyte imbalances. This may involve a decrease or increase in crucial electrolytes like calcium, sodium, potassium, and phosphate. It has also been linked to an increased risk of metabolic acidosis, which is a build-up of acid and toxins in the body.
Polyethylene glycol allergy: Although not commonly seen, there have been documented cases of an allergy to PEG. Some cases have even resulted in anaphylaxis – a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Due to the risk of exposure to polyethylene glycol, the FDA has issued a warning to anyone with a known or suspected PEG allergy to communicate clearly with healthcare professionals as PEGs can be found lurking in medications, vaccines, contrast agents, and more.
While these side effects are well-documented, there are growing concerns about other possible polyethylene glycol toxicity symptoms.
Polyethylene glycol toxicity symptoms
While it’s well-known among the medical community that PEG can trigger an allergy, cause digestive upset, or lead to electrolyte imbalances, there have been increasing reports of neurological symptoms associated with polyethylene glycol. Because of this, parents and pediatric practitioners are becoming increasingly wary of administering polyethylene glycol to adolescents.
A recent study found that a large percentage of parents, caregivers, and practitioners described an explosion of neurological side effects seemingly correlated to polyethylene glycol administration. Those side effects include:
- Abnormal behavior
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Seizures
- Sensory disturbances
Exactly how and why polyethylene glycol is triggering these neurological symptoms is still not entirely clear. Whether these side effects also impact adults and geriatric patients will require further studies as well.
Should I be worried about polyethylene glycol (PEG)?
Exactly how dangerous PEG truly is, is yet to be determined. However, you can be proactive and limit your exposure. You can follow some simple steps to protect yourself against polyethylene glycol and other harmful toxins.
- Prioritize clean supplements
- Focus on gut health
- Enhance your detox pathways
Simply be mindful of your exposure to PEGs and respond reasonably.
Final thoughts
We live in an increasingly toxic, chemically infused world. But you can make choices that are smart and reasonable to limit exposure and protect your health. The choices you make on a day-to-day basis are the foundation of your well-being.