Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane is a chemical compound obtained from the ethoxylation reaction of silanes with methanol, a compound primarily used in cosmetics and skincare products. 

The name describes the structure of the molecule

• "Bis" indicates the presence of two identical functional groups in the molecule.
• "PEG" stands for polyethylene glycol.
• "18" indicates the average molecular weight or the number of ethylene oxide units in the chain. PEG derivatives are often used in cosmetics for their moisturizing and solubilizing properties.
• "Methyl Ether".refers to an ether functional group attached to methyl groups. This structure gives the compound solubilizing and texture-enhancing properties.
• "Dimethyl Silane" refers to a silicon structure with two methyl groups attached. Silanes are often used in cosmetics for their conditioning and hydrophobic properties.

Description of raw materials used in production

• Silane - A silicone-based molecule that serves as the initial substrate.
• Ethylene oxide - A compound used to produce PEG groups.
• Methanol - Used to introduce methyl groups in the process.

Step-by-step summary of industrial chemical synthesis process

• Preparation - Silane is purified and readied for reaction.
• Polyethoxylation - Ethylene oxide is reacted with the silane to create a pegylated (PEG) molecule.
• Methylation - Methanol is reacted with the pegylated molecule to introduce the methyl groups.
• Purification - The mixture is purified to remove any impurities or excess product.

Form and color

It appears as a whitish or transparent waxy liquid.

What it is for and where

Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane is used in cosmetic products as an emollient and conditioning agent. It is valued for its ability to improve the texture of cosmetic products, providing hydration and a silky feel on the skin.

Cosmetics

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Surfactant - Foam booster. It has the effect of introducing gas bubbles into the water and affects the cleaning process by helping to spread the cleanser. Since sebum has an inhibiting effect on the bubble, more foam is produced in the second shampoo.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis.  The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

Surfactant - Hydrotrope (solubilizing agents).  It has the property of facilitating the miscibility of other compounds that are poorly soluble in water and does not form micelles in the solubilisation process, even with a chemical reaction of complexation or molecular aggregation. The two fundamental solubilisation factors are the hydrotropic-solute association mediated by the depression of water activity and ionic dissociation.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

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. 

Commercial Applications

Cosmetics and Skincare. Used as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent, imparting a soft, silky feel.

Hair Care Products. Acts as a conditioning agent, rendering the hair smooth and silky.

Makeup Products. Incorporated into foundations and primers for its ability to give a smooth, velvety finish.