Peg-8 Dimethicone is an inorganic chemical compound, a Dimethicone by-product.

The name describes the structure of the molecule

• "Peg" stands for "Polyethylene Glycol". It indicates that the dimethicone molecule has been modified with the addition of ethylene oxide units.
• "8" indicates the degree of ethoxylation, meaning the number of ethylene oxide units added to the original molecule. In this case, there are eight ethylene oxide units.
• "Dimethicone" is a type of silicone used in many cosmetic and skincare products for its lubricating and film-forming properties.

Description of raw materials used in production

• Dimethicone. 
• Ethylene oxide. When it reacts with silicone, it forms a bond with PEG groups, making the dimethicone water-soluble.

Step-by-step summary of industrial chemical synthesis process

• Dimethicone is placed in a suitable reactor.
• Ethylene oxide is introduced under specific pressure and temperature conditions.
• A bond forms between the ethylene oxide and dimethicone, pegylating the silicone.
• The reaction is monitored to ensure the correct degree of pegylation.
• Once the reaction is complete, the product is purified to remove any impurities.

It appears as a colorless or clear viscous liquid.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Surfactant - Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities.

Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and are used to soothe or soften the skin and emulsify, so they need a specific, stabilising ingredient. This ingredient forms a film, lowers the surface tension and makes two immiscible liquids miscible. A very important factor affecting the stability of the emulsion is the amount of the emulsifying agent. Emulsifiers have the property of reducing the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improving the stability of the emulsion and also directly influencing the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating the filmometric performance.

Safety

Dimethicone ((polydimethylsiloxane) is a chemical compound, a high molecular weight polymer derived from silicone, a chemically inert mixture of linear methylated siloxane polymers. The term 'dimeth' denotes two methyl groups bonded to the silicone molecule that provide the formation of dimethicone. It possesses a pronounced viscoelasticity characteristic and is hydrophobic, thus adding shine and slipperiness when applied to hair or skin. It forms a kind of barrier that prevents exogenous substances from entering the stratum corneum and at the same time prevents water loss. It is also UV-resistant, non-greasy and cost-effective. At low concentrations it is considered by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to be a skin protector with a good degree of safety.

It is therefore considered safe when formulated to be non-irritating in cosmetic products as, given its high molecular weight, it is poorly absorbed by the skin or scalp.

And now let us talk about PEGs.

Since the PEG (Polyethylene glycol) family is very numerous and can be found in cosmetic, industrial, pharmaceutical, medical and other products, we need to make an introductory statement on the subject, which is rather complex from a safety point of view because these products not only come into contact with the skin, but, as in the case of medical products, are ingested.

PEGs (polyethylene glycol) polymerise condensed ethylene oxide and water and are referred to as polyethylene glycols, but are actually complex chemical components, polymers bonded together. For example, plastic is polyethylene and has a hard consistency, while polyethylene combined with glycol forms a liquid. PEGylation is produced not only as etherification, but also as transesterification, which is the transformation of an alcohol by an ester.

The number appearing after the abbreviation PEG represents the molecular weight and the higher this number is, the less it penetrates the skin.