Question 1

What does Poly/bis-hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer do in a cosmetic formula?

Accepted Answer

This ingredient functions mainly as a conditioning film-former, adding slip, smooth feel, gloss, and frizz control in hair care and some skin care formulas.

Question 2

Is Poly/bis-hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer clean?

Accepted Answer

This ingredient is generally low-irritation in normal cosmetic use, but stricter clean standards often flag it because it is a synthetic, persistent polymer. Its concern is less about skin reactivity and more about clean-standard alignment and end-of-life profile.

Question 3

Is Poly/bis-hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer sustainable?

Accepted Answer

This material is made through synthetic silicon and petrochemical chemistry rather than renewable plant sourcing. It is not readily biodegradable and can persist after wastewater treatment, which weakens its environmental profile.

Question 4

Is Poly/bis-hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer COSMOS-approved?

Accepted Answer

It is not permitted under COSMOS natural or organic standards because synthetic silicon-based polymers fall outside the allowed ingredient categories. From a Green Chemistry view, it has poor alignment on renewable feedstock and biodegradability, despite being effective at low use levels.

Question 5

How does Poly/bis-hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone Copolymer work chemically?

Accepted Answer

The molecule is a high-molecular-weight copolymer with a methyl-substituted silicon-oxygen backbone modified with hydroxyethoxypropyl groups, which improves compatibility with water-rich systems and deposition on hair fibers. It is often used around 0.1 to 5% active depending on format, is broadly stable across common cosmetic pH ranges, and resists oxidation compared with unsaturated plant oils.