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Ingredient dictionary

PEG-4 Rapeseedamide

PEG-4 Rapeseedamide is a surfactant made from rapeseed oil fatty acids and a short polyethylene glycol chain, mainly used to help oil and water blend. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

What PEG-4 Rapeseedamide does

  • Helps oil and water blend together
  • Helps cleansers foam and rinse clean
  • Helps creams stay blended and smooth

PEG-4 Rapeseedamide starts with fatty acids from rapeseed oil. Canola is a type of rapeseed, so the two are closely related plants. Chemists link these fatty acids to a short polyethylene glycol chain, which adds a water-loving end to an oil-loving tail. The result is a surfactant: a molecule that can grab both oil and water.

Formulators use it to help oil and water blend into one smooth product. It is nonionic, which means it carries no electric charge, so it tends to mix well with many other ingredients. In a formula it helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, and it helps creams stay blended rather than splitting.

Good for

Suits formulas that need oil and water to stay blended, such as cleansers and creams.

Frequently asked questions

Is PEG-4 Rapeseedamide safe to use?

It is generally considered well tolerated by most people. Any ingredient can cause a reaction in some people, though, so testing a new product on a small patch of skin first is a sensible habit. See a dermatologist if you have sensitive skin or a known reaction.

Is PEG-4 Rapeseedamide the same as canola oil?

No. It is made from fatty acids that come from rapeseed oil, and canola is a type of rapeseed. However, the fatty acids are chemically changed and joined to a polyethylene glycol chain, so the final ingredient behaves like a surfactant, not like an oil.