Dimethicone PEG-7 Isostearate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient acts mainly as a water-in-oil emulsifier and dispersing aid, helping combine oils, esters, and water while improving slip and rinse feel.
What does Dimethicone PEG-7 Isostearate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient acts mainly as a water-in-oil emulsifier and dispersing aid, helping combine oils, esters, and water while improving slip and rinse feel.
Is Dimethicone PEG-7 Isostearate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has friction because it is a PEG-modified organosilicon material rather than a simple plant or mineral ingredient. It is generally low-irritation, but some standards scrutinize ethoxylated materials for possible trace processing residues such as 1,4-dioxane.
Is Dimethicone PEG-7 Isostearate sustainable?
This material is synthetic and relies on organosilicon chemistry plus petrochemical ethoxylation, with a fatty component that may be plant-derived or synthetic depending on supplier. The organosilicon portion is not readily biodegradable and raises persistence concerns compared with simple fatty alcohols, esters, or sugars.
Is Dimethicone PEG-7 Isostearate COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic because it combines an organosilicon backbone with PEG-type ethoxylation. Its fit with Green Chemistry is limited by nonrenewable inputs, persistence concerns, and processing steps associated with ethoxylation.
How does Dimethicone PEG-7 Isostearate work chemically?
The molecule is an amphiphilic organosilicon-polyether fatty ester, so one segment has strong oil compatibility while the polyether segment improves water interaction and interfacial stabilization. It is used at low formulation levels as an emulsifier, dispersant, or sensory modifier, and it is generally stable across typical cosmetic pH ranges when protected from strong acid or base hydrolysis conditions.
Last updated 2026-05-13