Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a silicone-compatible emulsifier and dispersing agent, especially for water-in-silicone or water-in-oil systems. It helps stabilize high-slip, water-containing formulas such as sunscreens, foundations, primers, and long-wear complexion products.
What does Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a silicone-compatible emulsifier and dispersing agent, especially for water-in-silicone or water-in-oil systems. It helps stabilize high-slip, water-containing formulas such as sunscreens, foundations, primers, and long-wear complexion products.
Is Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient sits in a restricted or non-preferred zone because many standards scrutinize persistent synthetic polymers, especially silicone-derived materials. It is generally low in skin irritation, so the concern is more standards alignment and environmental profile than immediate tolerance.
Is Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone sustainable?
This material is synthetic and not meaningfully bio-based. Its environmental profile is limited by low ready biodegradability and persistence concerns common to high-molecular-weight silicone polymers.
Is Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because synthetic silicone polymers are outside the allowed ingredient framework. Its Green Chemistry fit is weak, with non-renewable sourcing, limited biodegradability, and persistence outweighing its formulation efficiency.
How does Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone work chemically?
The molecule is an amphiphilic comb-like polymer with a flexible hydrophobic backbone and polyol-rich side chains, which lets it sit at oil-water interfaces and stabilize dispersed droplets. It is typically used at low single-digit percentages in emulsions, is broadly pH-stable, and is often paired with volatile carriers, pigments, mineral UV filters, and oils to improve dispersion and wear.
Last updated 2026-05-13