Description

PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone is a silicone-based polymer used in cosmetics and personal care products. It functions primarily as an emulsifier, conditioning agent, and anti-foaming agent. It helps to improve the texture and spreadability of products and provides a smooth, silky feel to the skin and hair.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Components:
Dimethicone: A type of silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) known for its smooth, non-greasy feel.
PEG/PPG (Polyethylene Glycol/Polypropylene Glycol): Water-soluble polymers used to enhance the solubility of the silicone in formulations.
20/20: Indicates the average molecular weight or the degree of ethylene glycol (PEG) and propylene glycol (PPG) addition in the polymer chain.
Structure:
Molecule: A copolymer consisting of alternating segments of dimethicone and polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol. The exact molecular structure varies depending on the polymer chain length and the ratio of PEG to PPG.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Clear, viscous liquid or gel.
Odor: Typically odorless or with a slight characteristic silicone odor.
Solubility: Soluble in most cosmetic oils and solvents; dispersible in water.
pH: Usually neutral, but can vary depending on the formulation.

Production Process:

Synthesis: Produced through the polymerization of dimethicone with PEG and PPG. The process involves controlling the ratio of PEG to PPG and the length of the polymer chains.
Purification: The product is purified to remove any residual monomers or by-products.
Formulation: Incorporated into cosmetic formulations to enhance texture and performance.

Applications:

Skin Care: Provides a smooth application, enhances skin feel, and acts as an emollient.
Hair Care: Conditions hair, reduces frizz, and improves manageability.
Cosmetics: Used in foundations, primers, and moisturizers to improve spreadability and to create a silky texture.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: Generally considered to have a low environmental impact due to its stability and minimal degradation. However, the impact can vary based on the specific formulation and disposal practices.
Safety: PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone is considered safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products when used as directed.

Cosmetic Safety

It is a product structurally related to PEGs (polyethylene glycerol ethers) on the safety of which the scientific literature has conflicting opinions.
Since the PEG (Polyethylene glycol) family is very numerous and can be found in cosmetic, industrial, pharmaceutical, medical and other products, we need to make an introductory statement on the subject, which is rather complex from a safety point of view because these products not only come into contact with the skin, but, as in the case of medical products, are ingested.
PEGs (polyethylene glycol) polymerise condensed ethylene oxide and water and are referred to as polyethylene glycols, but are actually complex chemical components, polymers bonded together. For example, plastic is polyethylene and has a hard consistency, while polyethylene combined with glycol forms a liquid. PEGylation is produced not only as etherification, but also as transesterification, which is the transformation of an alcohol by an ester.
The number appearing after the abbreviation PEG represents the molecular weight and the higher this number is, the less it penetrates the skin.
The term 'eth' refers to the ethoxylation reaction with ethylene oxide after which residues of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, chemical compounds considered carcinogenic, may remain. The degree of safety therefore depends on the degree of purity of the compound obtained. At present, no manufacturer is known to provide this information on the label.

INCI:


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.
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