Propylene glycol capreth-4 is a chemical compound, propylene glycol ether of a polyethylene glycol obtained from capryl alcohol.
What it is used for and where
Cosmetics
Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and are used to soothe or soften the skin and emulsify, so they need a specific, stabilising ingredient. This ingredient forms a film, lowers the surface tension and makes two immiscible liquids miscible. A very important factor affecting the stability of the emulsion is the amount of the emulsifying agent. Emulsifiers have the property of reducing the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improving the stability of the emulsion and also directly influencing the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating the filmometric performance.
Safety
This ingredient is formed by an ethoxylation reaction using ethylene oxide. After the reaction, residues of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, chemical compounds considered carcinogenic, may remain. At present, no manufacturer is known to provide this information on the label.
