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PEGs: what they are and how they read on the label
Updated on 4 November 2026
At a glance
- Kind
- In personal care products
- Also as
- peg
- Without PEGs
- 279 products
- Contain it
- 122 products
- Supermarkets
- AH, Jumbo, PLUS, Dirk and Hoogvliet
What are PEGs?
PEGs (polyethylene glycol, with a number such as PEG-40) are emulsifiers and thickeners in creams, shampoo and shower gel.
Recognise
On a Dutch label as
- peg
May also be it
- names ending in ‘-eth’, such as ceteareth
We look for these Dutch words in the ingredient list itself, also between brackets. If in doubt, read the pack.
Shopping
Examples without PEGs
- Seepje Handzeep eucalyptus en rozemarijnSeepje · 300 mlAlbert Heijn € 3,99 1+1Jumbo € 3,99PLUS € 3,99Contains: Fragrance, Limoneen, Linalool
- Seepje Handzeep lavendel met tonkaSeepje · 300 mlAlbert Heijn € 3,99 1+1Jumbo € 3,99PLUS € 3,99Contains: Fragrance, Limoneen, Linalool
- Seepje Shower gel white peach and cedarwoodSeepje · 300 mlAlbert Heijn € 5,99 1+1PLUS € 5,99Contains: Fragrance
- Gliss Conditioner total repairGliss · 200 mlAlbert Heijn € 6,99 1+1Jumbo € 6,99Contains: Benzylalcohol, Fragrance, Limoneen, Parabens, Propylene glycol, Silicones
- Seepje Sinaasappel handzeepSeepje · 300 mlAlbert Heijn € 3,99 1+1PLUS € 3,99Contains: Fragrance, Limoneen
- Fa Men sport deodorant sprayFa · 150 mlAlbert Heijn € 4,19 1+1PLUS € 4,19Contains: Alcohol, Benzylalcohol, Citronellol, Fragrance, Hexyl cinnamal, Linalool, Propylene glycol
All 279 personal care products without PEGs (in Dutch)
What to look for in the shop
- Read the ingredient list (INCI) on the pack: the substances are there under their English or Latin names.
- A ‘free from’ claim on the front is a good sign, but the list on the back decides.
Good to know
How do PEGs read on a Dutch label?As peg.
As peg. We look for those words in the ingredient list itself, also in compound ingredients between brackets.
How many personal care products contain PEGs?122 of the 401 personal care products with an ingredient list, about 30%.
122 of the 401 personal care products with an ingredient list, about 30%. The other 279 do not name it.
A choice of your own, not an allergy
PEGs are not an allergen: whether you eat or use them is up to you. We show what the ingredient list says, so you can choose. Recipes change: if in doubt, the pack in your hand decides.
More ingredients under Ingredients; allergens under Allergies.
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