PEG-14 Dimethicone ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic conditioning agent and nonionic emulsifier that helps spread oils, improve slip, reduce tack, and stabilize mixed oil-water systems. It is especially useful in hair care and skin care when a formula needs a smooth, lightweight feel.
What does PEG-14 Dimethicone do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a synthetic conditioning agent and nonionic emulsifier that helps spread oils, improve slip, reduce tack, and stabilize mixed oil-water systems. It is especially useful in hair care and skin care when a formula needs a smooth, lightweight feel.
Is PEG-14 Dimethicone clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient has friction because it combines a synthetic silicon-based polymer with ethoxylated chemistry. The main scrutiny is not typical skin irritation, which is generally low, but restricted-list alignment and potential trace processing residues associated with ethoxylation.
Is PEG-14 Dimethicone sustainable?
This material is synthetically produced from non-renewable feedstocks and is not considered readily biodegradable. Its environmental profile is weaker than plant-derived emulsifiers or conditioning agents because silicon-based polymers can persist in wastewater and sediments.
Is PEG-14 Dimethicone COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because synthetic silicon-based polymers and ethoxylated materials fall outside the allowed chemistry. Its Green Chemistry fit is limited by non-renewable sourcing, ethylene oxide processing, and poor biodegradability.
How does PEG-14 Dimethicone work chemically?
The molecule is an amphiphilic organosilicon polymer, with a hydrophobic backbone and water-compatible polyether segments that help it sit at oil-water and air-water interfaces. Typical use levels are often about 0.1% to 5%, and it is generally nonionic and formulation-stable across common cosmetic pH ranges.
Last updated 2026-05-13