Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone ●
TL;DR. This ingredient primarily acts as a silicone-compatible emulsifier and stabilizer, especially for water-in-silicone and long-wear makeup systems. It also helps improve spread, slip, and pigment dispersion.
What does Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient primarily acts as a silicone-compatible emulsifier and stabilizer, especially for water-in-silicone and long-wear makeup systems. It also helps improve spread, slip, and pigment dispersion.
Is Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this material has friction because it combines ethoxylated and propoxylated segments with a silicone-based structure. It is generally low in direct irritation potential, but some standards flag it for processing-residue controls and silicone-related restrictions.
Is Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone sustainable?
This material is synthetic, commonly derived from petrochemical and silicon-based feedstocks. It is not readily biodegradable and has persistence concerns compared with simpler plant-derived emulsifiers.
Is Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards. Its synthetic silicone backbone, polyether modification, and limited biodegradability make it a weak fit with Green Chemistry preferences for renewable sourcing and ready environmental breakdown.
How does Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone work chemically?
The molecule is an amphiphilic copolymer with a flexible siloxane backbone and hydrophilic polyether side chains, which lets it sit at the oil, water, and silicone interface. Typical use is often around 0.5% to 5% depending on emulsion type, and it is valued for stability across common cosmetic pH ranges and for compatibility with volatile and nonvolatile silicone phases.
Last updated 2026-05-13