Question 1

What does Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer do in a cosmetic formula?

Accepted Answer

This ingredient is a texture modifier and oil-phase thickener that gives formulas slip, cushion, and a soft-focus finish. It is commonly used in primers, foundations, sunscreens, and creams to suspend oils and improve spreadability.

Question 2

Is Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer clean?

Accepted Answer

From a clean-beauty perspective, this material is usually flagged because it is a synthetic silicone elastomer with persistence concerns and limited biodegradability. Skin irritation potential is generally low because the polymer is high molecular weight and largely inert.

Question 3

Is Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer sustainable?

Accepted Answer

This material is typically made from nonrenewable petrochemical and silicon-based feedstocks. It is not readily biodegradable, so its sustainability profile is weaker than plant-derived or readily biodegradable texture agents.

Question 4

Is Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer COSMOS-approved?

Accepted Answer

It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards. Its fit with Green Chemistry principles is limited because it relies on synthetic, nonrenewable chemistry and has poor biodegradability, even though it can improve formula stability and sensory performance at low use levels.

Question 5

How does Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer work chemically?

Accepted Answer

The molecule is a crosslinked silicone-polyether network with hydrophobic side groups, designed to swell in compatible oil phases and create an elastic gel structure. It is typically used as supplied in silicone or hydrocarbon dispersions, often around low single-digit percentages in finished formulas, and it is broadly stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges because it sits mainly in the oil phase.