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

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Bis- indicates the presence of two units of a certain group or segment in the molecule.
• PEG-8. PEG stands for "Polyethylene Glycol" and the number 8 indicates the average molecular weight or the number of ethylene oxide units in the chain. It has emollient and solubilizing properties.
• Dimethicone is a form of silicone used for its emollient and protective properties. It helps form a barrier on the skin, retaining moisture and making the skin feel smooth to the touch.

Raw Materials Used in Production.

• Dimethicone is a form of silicone commonly used in cosmetics for its smoothing and shining properties.
• Ethylene oxide is a chemical compound used in the production of many types of polyethers like PEG.

Step-by-step Summary of Industrial Production Process.

• Production of Dimethicone. Dimethicone is produced from silicon through various chemical processes.
• Reaction with Ethylene Oxide. Dimethicone is then made to react with ethylene oxide to produce various grades of polyethers, like PEG.
• Chemical modification. This PEG is further modified to attain the desired structure, like that of Bis-Peg-8 Peg-8 Dimethicone.
• Purification. The resulting product is purified to remove impurities and by-products.

Form and Color.

Bis-Peg-8 Peg-8 Dimethicone typically appears as a clear, viscous liquid.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Hair conditioning agent. A large number of ingredients with specific purposes can co-exist in a hair shampoo: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, mattifying 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, dispersing agents that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioners includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners.

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.