The library

Ingredient library

Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2277 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.

All 2277 ingredients — page 61 of 95

Solvent / vehicle
PEG-PPG Dimethyl Ether

A class of polyethylene glycol / polypropylene glycol block copolymers used as solubilizers and emulsifiers in Japanese toners and serums, helping blend silicone and oil-soluble actives into water-based formulas.

emulsifiersolubilizerskin-conditioning
Solubilizes oil-soluble ingredients into water-based formulasHelps emulsify silicone-in-water systems
PEG-based; trace 1,4-dioxane possible unless vacuum-stripped — considered safe as formulated
+ Glycerin+ Butylene Glycol
Surfactant
PEG/PPG Decyltetradecyl Ether

A nonionic polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene ether surfactant used to solubilize and emulsify in watery lotions.

emulsifiersolubilizer
Solubilizes oils and fragrance into water-based formulas
Low risk
Other
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether

A mixed polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol dimethyl ether used as a solvent and carrier to improve formula texture and ingredient delivery.

solventcarrier
Improves texture and spreadabilityActs as a carrier for active ingredients
Other
PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether

A mixed polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol dimethyl ether used as a solvent and carrier to improve formula texture and ingredient delivery.

solventcarrier
Improves texture and spreadabilityActs as a carrier for active ingredients
Other
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone

A silicone-PEG/PPG copolymer with equal PEG-18 and PPG-18 side chains that acts as an emulsifier and slip agent for water-compatible silicone formulas.

emulsifierskin-conditioningslip-agent
Improves skin feel and spreadabilityEmulsifies silicone and water phasesLeaves a smooth, non-greasy finish
Solvent / vehicle
PEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether
PEG/PPG-9/2 DIMETHYL ETHER

A block copolymer of PEG (9 units) and PPG (2 units) capped with methyl ether groups. Used as a co-solvent in sunscreen formulas for dissolving organic UV filters. Common in Anessa and Shiseido SPF products.

solventco-solvent
Helps dissolve UV filters and oil-phase ingredientsLightweight, spreads easily
+ Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate+ PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Humectant
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin

A triblock glycerin copolymer combining PEG-8, PPG-5, and polybutylene glycol-3 used as a multifunctional humectant to attract and retain moisture in serums and boosters.

humectantskin-conditioning
Multi-glycol humectant complex that provides layered moisture retentionImproves skin hydration and smoothness
Other
POE/Dimethicone Copolymer
PEG/DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER

A copolymer combining polyethylene oxide (POE/PEG) and dimethicone segments. Acts as an emulsifier and sensory enhancer in lotions and toners.

emulsifierskin-conditioningsensory-enhancer
Silicone-polyether block copolymer that improves spreadability and sensory feel in formulasStabilizes oil-in-water emulsions while imparting a lightweight, silky skin feel
Emollient
POE/Methylpolysiloxane Copolymer
PEG-12 DIMETHICONE

A polyoxyethylene-methylpolysiloxane copolymer (Japanese JSCI name for PEG-dimethicone). Functions as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent with a light, silky texture. Used in Shiseido d program acne-care lotion.

emulsifierskin-conditioningemollient
Lightweight emollient with silky skin feelHelps emulsify silicone and water phasesNon-greasy texture
+ Dimethicone+ Methylphenylpolysiloxane
Humectant
PPG-10 Methyl Glucose
PPG-10 METHYL GLUCOSE

A propylene glycol ether of methyl glucose with approximately 10 propylene oxide units. Functions as a humectant in skincare formulations, particularly toners and serums.

humectantskin-conditioning
MoisturizingImproves skin feel
+ Glycerin+ Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether

A propoxylated methyl glucose ether used as a mild humectant and skin conditioner in toners, essences, and lotions, imparting a smooth, non-greasy hydration.

humectantskin-conditioning
Provides gentle humectant hydrationGood skin feel without tackinessDerived from glucose — mild and well tolerated
Other
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer

A copolymer of polypropylene glycol and SMDI (4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate) used as a film-former and emollient that imparts a silky, velvety skin feel.

film-formeremollientthickener
Leaves a smooth, silky after-feel on skinImproves spreadability and texture
Surfactant
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24

A polymeric nonionic surfactant combining a polypropylene glycol backbone with a branched long-chain ethoxylate, used as an emulsifier and solubilizer in premium aqueous skin-care formulas.

emulsifiersolubilizer
Helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsionsCan solubilize fragrance or oil components in watery formulas
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
PPG-15 STEARYL ETHER

A polypropylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol; functions as a lightweight emollient and skin-conditioning agent commonly used in cleansing oils.

emollientskin-conditioning
Lightweight, non-greasy skin feelEnhances spreadability of cleansing oils
Humectant
PPG-17

A polypropylene glycol polymer (17-unit chain) used as a humectant and co-solvent in cosmetics. Lighter and less viscous than glycerin; often combined with it in Japanese toners.

humectantsolventskin-conditioning
Lightweight humectantImproves texture without heaviness
+ Glycerin+ Butylene Glycol
Other
PPG-2 Arginine

A condensation product of propylene glycol and the amino acid arginine. Used as a mild skin conditioner in cleansing and care products.

skin-conditioningmoisturizing
Propylene glycol ester of arginine providing gentle moisture-conditioning and skin-softeningAmino acid derivative with mild cationic character that improves skin surface feel
Humectant
PPG-20 Methyl Glucose
PPG-20 METHYL GLUCOSE

A propylene glycol ether of methyl glucose with approximately 20 propylene oxide units. Used as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent in toners and essences.

humectantskin-conditioning
MoisturizingImproves spreadability
+ Glycerin+ Hyaluronic Acid
Surfactant
PPG-26-Buteth-26

A nonionic polypropylene glycol/butyl ether copolymeric surfactant used as a solubilizer and emulsifier in toners and facial preparations.

solubilizeremulsifier
Helps solubilize fragrance, oils, and actives in aqueous formulasCompatible with a broad range of cosmetic ingredients
Emollient
PPG-3 Dipivalate
PPG-3 DIPIVALATE

A diester of tripropylene glycol (PPG-3) and pivalic acid. A lightweight, non-greasy emollient used in skincare to improve spreadability and provide a dry, silky skin feel. Common in Shiseido premium formulations.

emollientskin-conditioning
Lightweight, non-greasy emollientImproves spreadability and skin feel
+ Dimethicone+ Glycerin
Emollient
PPG-3 Myristyl Ether

A polypropylene glycol ether of myristyl alcohol used as a lightweight emollient and carrier solvent that imparts a silky skin feel and improves the spreading and dispersibility of actives in serums and sunscreens.

emollientsolvent
Lightweight, silky, non-greasy emollient feelImproves spreadability and reduces tackinessActs as a carrier solvent for UV filters and actives
Other
PPG-4-Ceteth-20
PPG-4-CETETH-20

A complex polyol ether combining PPG-4 and ceteth-20 groups. Used as a non-ionic emulsifier and surfactant in skincare formulations.

emulsifiersurfactant
Non-ionic emulsifierGood skin compatibility
+ Glycerin+ Cetearyl Alcohol
Surfactant
PPG-5-Laureth-5

PPG-5-Laureth-5 is a non-ionic surfactant made by sequential propoxylation (5 PO units) and ethoxylation (5 EO units) of lauryl alcohol. The resulting molecule has a mixed hydrophilic/lipophilic character suitable for use as a mild solubilizer and co-emulsifier in water-based skincare. Used in toners and serum-type products to solubilize fragrance compounds and provide a smooth, conditioned skin feel.

solubilizingemulsifyingskin-conditioning
A mixed PEG/PPG ether of lauryl alcohol (5 propylene oxide units + 5 ethylene oxide units) that functions as a mild solubilizer and emulsion stabilizer in aqueous formulationsThe combination of hydrophilic (ethylene oxide) and moderately hydrophobic (propylene oxide) segments makes it useful for solubilizing fragrance ingredients and other slightly lipophilic actives in water-based toners and serumsContributes a skin-conditioning, silky feel similar to other PPG/PEG ether surfactants at cosmetic use concentrations
PEG/PPG ethers carry a theoretical trace 1,4-dioxane risk from ethoxylation; cosmetic-grade material meets regulatory purity limits
+ Glycerin+ Butylene Glycol+ Propanediol
Humectant
PPG-50 Methyl Glucose Ether

A high-propoxylation methyl glucose ether derived from corn glucose and propylene oxide, used as a humectant and mild emollient that provides lasting moisturization without a heavy or tacky feel.

humectantemollient
Draws and retains moisture for long-lasting hydrationNon-greasy, lightweight skin feelMild and non-comedogenic — suitable for sensitive skin
Other
PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-20
PPG-6-DECYLTETRADECETH-20

A polypropylene glycol/polyethylene glycol ether of decyltetradecanol used as an emulsifier and solubiliser in Japanese toners and essences. Enables stable, clear-to-slightly-translucent formulas.

emulsifyingsolubilisingskin-conditioning
Stabilises complex emulsionsImproves penetration of activesElegant skin feel in toners and essences
+ Glycerin+ Butylene Glycol+ Dipropylene Glycol