In the world of luxury skincare, a beautiful bottle and a silky texture are often mistaken for quality. But for the ingredient-conscious minimalist, true luxury is found not in the packaging, but in the purity of the formula. At Good to Glow, we believe luxury is defined by the quality of ingredients used on your skin, not a synthetic coating hidden behind a premium price tag.

This is why we take a deep dive into two common, yet controversial, families of ingredients: PEGs and Ethoxylated Compounds. What Are PEGs and Ethoxylated Ingredients?

PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols) and other ethoxylated compounds are a broad class of petroleum-based ingredients widely used across the cosmetic industry. They are functional, low-cost workhorses that serve multiple purposes in a formula, including:

  • Emulsifiers: To blend oil and water components seamlessly.
  • Foaming Agents: To create lather in cleansers and washes.
  • Texture Enhancers/Softeners: To give creams a desired feel on the kin.
  • Solvents and Moisture Carriers: To help other ingredients dissolve and penetrate the skin.

The Chemical Process and the Hidden Danger

Ethoxylated ingredients, including PEGs, are created through a chemical process called ethoxylation. This involves treating a chemical with ethylene oxide to make it less harsh or improve its texture. This process is popular because it allows brands to use cheaper, harsher base ingredients and "soften" them for consumer use.

The issue is that ethoxylation creates two harmful byproducts:

  1. Ethylene Oxide: Classified as a known human carcinogen.
  2. 1,4-Dioxane: A resulting contaminant and a probable human carcinogen linked to organ toxicity.

The "PEG-Free" Loophole

Many brands advertise themselves as "PEG-free"—and while this is a step in the right direction—it is often not enough.

The reality is that a "PEG-free" product can still contain ethoxylated ingredients. Consumers who are trying to avoid PEGs to protect their health are also trying to avoid the byproducts of ethoxylation. However, numerous other ethoxylated ingredients exist with names that aren't immediately obvious, such as those including the prefixes -steareth, -ceteareth, -xynol, or the letters -eth (e.g., Sodium Laureth Sulfate).

These hidden ingredients are produced using the same ethoxylation process and therefore carry the same potential for 1,4-Dioxane contamination. Where Does the Responsibility Lie?

The most frustrating part for the conscious consumer is the lack of transparency:

  • Contaminants vs. Ingredients: The harmful byproducts, 1,4 Dioxane and Ethylene Oxide, are not intentionally added ingredients; they are contaminants. Because of this, they are not required to be listed on product labels in many jurisdictions.
  • Manufacturer Testing: It is up to the ingredient manufacturer to test for and remove these impurities. While trace amounts are generally deemed "acceptable" by regulatory bodies, it is a known industry practice that manufacturers often do not test every single batch of ethoxylated ingredients for these byproducts.
  • The Cost Factor: Alternative, cleaner processes exist (such as vacuum stripping to remove 1,4-Dioxane, or simply using less-processed, higher-quality ingredients). However, these methods and ingredients are significantly more expensive, making the ethoxylation process the preferred and cheaper route for many large brands.

A Look at Canadian Regulation

Even in countries with strong safety standards, contaminants find a way. In Canada, Ethylene Oxide and 1,4-Dioxane are listed on Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, meaning they are officially prohibited in cosmetics. However, this prohibition does not apply when they are present in a product as a contaminant (i.e., an unintentional, trace byproduct). This loophole underscores why consumer education is so critical.

Our Commitment to Uncompromising Purity

At Good to Glow, our definition of luxury starts with ingredient integrity. We created our formulas to be entirely PEG-free AND ethoxylated-free. We choose to bypass the ethoxylation process completely, ensuring you are not exposed to these avoidable impurities. We use higher-cost, minimally processed, emulsifiers, non-comedogenic oils and high-quality extracts to build a product that is safe, effective, and truly luxurious.

Consumers need to be aware of the ingredients that carry a hidden health risk. By understanding how to look past the surface-level claims, you can be more selective and demand true purity from the products you apply to your skin.