PEG/PPG-24/24 METHYL ETHER GLYCIDOXY DIMETHICONE

Substance information

"PEG" refers to a PEG-(polyethylene glycol-) derivative. The number behind "PEG-" (or the first number behind "PEG/...-") refers to the average number of molecular units -CH2-CH2-O-. "PPG" refers to a PPG-(polypropylene glycol-) derivative. The number behind "PPG-" (in the event of mixed PEG/PPG derivatives, the second number) states the average number of molecular units -CH2-CH2-CH2-O-. The methyl group is one of the simplest arrangements of atoms in organic chemistry which can be found as a moiety of numerous organic molecules. The name „methyl“ is derived from methane, the member of the alkane hydrocarbon group with the lowest molecular weight. The methane molecule contains four hydrogen atoms each one bound to a central carbon atom. The methyl group is not an independent chemical entity and contains only three hydrogen atoms, the fourth binding site is generally used for binding to a larger, mainly organic molecule. Like all alkanes, methyl groups exhibit a particularly low chemical reactivity. "Ether" refers to a connection product (condensation product) of two alcohols. Ingredient on the basis of poly(di)methyl siloxane ("dimethicone").

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

HAIR CONDITIONING

Leaves the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and / or imparts volume

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Origin

synthetic

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Occurrence in cosmetics

Face toners, aftershaves and hair tonics, as solvent and solubiliser for active ingredients, perfume oils and colourants, humectants, basis for creams, as consistency enhancer, binding agent, softening agent and fixative

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Background information on use in cosmetics

Polyethylene glycols (INCI: PEG-...) are poly condensation products of ethylene glycol, or polymerisation products of ethylene oxide. The number added to the name refers to the mean number of ethylene oxide units in the substance. The consistency of the PEG derivatives is increasingly solid with a growing degree of polymerisation. PEGs with a mean molar mass of up to 600 g/mol are liquid, up to 1,000 g/mol wax-like and from 4,000 g/mol solid wax-like substances. By mixing solid and liquid components, products of a creamy consistency are obtained which are used as water-free and water rinse-off bases. With growing molar mass water solubility and hygroscopicity (ability to absorb moisture) of the polyethylene glycols decrease. Polyethylene glycols and their derivates are preferentially used in cosmetic products since they have a broad spectrum of viscosity and solubility properties and have a very good skin tolerance. As water soluble, non-greasy substances polyethylene glycols are suitable for many cosmetic purposes. The liquid PEGs serve, eg, as glycerol substitute in facial, shaving and hair lotions, as solubilisers and solvents. Polypropylene glycol (PPGs) and their derivatives are used in cosmetic products like the polyethylene glycols (PEGs). They are often used in cosmetic products since they have a broad range of viscosity and solubility properties and have a very good skin tolerance. As water soluble, non-greasy substances, polypropylene glycols are suited for many cosmetic purposes. The liquid PPGs serve, for instance, as solubilizers and solvents. Silicones, chemically more precisely poly(organo)siloxanes, is a designation for a group of synthetic polymers in which silicone atoms are connected through oxygen atoms. The volatility and viscosity are determined by the chain length. The silicones include various compounds which contain as a characteristic functional group a polyorganosiloxane. Important classes are: dimethylpolysiloxanes, phenylmethyl polysiloxanes, cyclic methylsiloxanes and siloxanes modified with alkyl groups or PEG (polyethylene glycol). Silicones are water insoluble and have a low surface tension. The low surface tension is the reason for their good spreading quality; they constitute protective films on the skin which are vapor-permeable. They have no comedogenic effect and are particularly well tolerated on skin. Because of their favourable technological and cosmetic properties they are used rather frequently in cosmetics and serve for the improvement of care properties in skin and haircare products.

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Information on safe use

Claudia Fruijtier-Pölloth: Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products. In: "Toxicology" (2005), No. 214, P. 1-38. Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

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Belongs to the following substance groups

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Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.