PEG/PPG-116/66 Copolymer (Oxirane, methyl, polymer with oxirane (116 mol EO, 66 mol PO average molar ratio)) is a synthetic polymer used in cosmetics and personal care products. It is created by copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG), which imparts unique properties to the polymer. This copolymer is valued for its ability to enhance the texture and stability of formulations, providing smoothness and improved product performance.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Components: The copolymer consists of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) in specified molecular weight ranges.
Chemical Formula: The exact formula varies based on the specific ratios of PEG and PPG used.
Molecular Weight: Molecular weight is defined by the individual PEG and PPG segments, typically resulting in a copolymer with a molecular weight range that supports desired formulation properties.

Physical Properties

Appearance: Typically a clear or slightly opaque liquid or gel.
Odor: Generally odorless or has a minimal characteristic scent.
Solubility: Soluble in both water and organic solvents, depending on the formulation.
pH: Typically neutral to slightly acidic, suitable for a wide range of cosmetic applications.
Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions; should be kept away from excessive heat and light to maintain effectiveness.

Production Process

Polymerization: PEG and PPG are polymerized in a controlled process to achieve the desired molecular weight and properties.
Formulation: The copolymer is blended into cosmetic and personal care formulations to enhance texture, stability, and performance.
Quality Control: The final product undergoes rigorous testing for purity, consistency, and efficacy to ensure high quality.

Applications

Cosmetics: Used in creams, lotions, and serums to improve texture and spreadability.
Personal Care: Incorporated into shampoos, conditioners, and body washes to enhance product performance and stability.
Medical: Sometimes used in medical formulations for its stabilizing and solubilizing properties.
Food: Rarely used in food applications, primarily confined to cosmetic and personal care uses.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

PEG/PPG-116/66 Copolymer is generally regarded as safe for topical application when used according to established guidelines. It should be sourced responsibly and produced under conditions that minimize environmental impact. Users with sensitive skin should monitor for any adverse reactions and discontinue use if necessary. Proper handling and storage are essential to maintain the polymer's effectiveness and stability.

Cosmetic Safety

PEG (Polyethylene glycol) polymerize condensed ethylene oxide and water and are referred to as polyethylene glycols, but they are actually complex chemical components, polymers bonded together. For example, plastic is polyethylene and has a hard consistency, while polyethylene aggregated with glycol forms a liquid. PEGylation is produced not only as heterification but also as transesterification, which is the transformation of an alcohol by an ester.
The number that appears after the abbreviation PEG represents the molecular weight, and the higher this number is, the less it penetrates the skin.
The term 'eth' refers to the ethoxylation reaction with ethylene oxide after which residues of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, chemical compounds considered carcinogenic, may remain. The degree of safety therefore depends on the degree of purity of the compound obtained. No manufacturer appears to provide this information on the label, at least as of the date of this review.
Kim MC, Park SY, Kwon SY, Kim YK, Kim YI, Seo YS, Cho SM, Shin EC, Mok JH, Lee YB. Application of Static Headspace GC-MS Method for Selective 1,4-Dioxane Detection in Food Additives. Foods. 2023 Sep 2;12(17):3299. doi: 10.3390/foods12173299.
Abstract. "Efficient detection methods must be developed for 1,4-dioxane due to its suspected status as a human carcinogen, which is highly mobile in food and environmental resources. In this regard, this experiment has been conducted to develop reliable and selective detection and measurement methods by using static headspace (SH) isolation, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A new method was developed for determining the spiked 1,4-dioxane contents in a polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG 600). The optimal condition for SH-GC-MS was discussed. The representative ions of 1,4-dioxane and 1,4-dioxane-d8 in the SIM mode of MS are 88 and 96, respectively, and the peaks of the SIM mode were separated and confirmed. The linear range for the method covers 0.25 to 100 mg/L with a coefficient of determination (R2) ≥ 0.999. The method applicability was demonstrated by spike recovery across a variety of food additives (i.e., chlorine bitartrate, choline chloride, polysorbate 20 and 60, and PEG 1000). All spike recovery from the tested samples was in the range of 89.50-102.68% with a precision of 0.44-11.22%. These findings suggest a new analytical method for food safety inspection, and could be applicable for ensuring the safety of foods and environmental and public health on a broad scale."

INCI Functions:


Solvent. It is the substance for dissolving or dispersing surfactants, oils, dyes, flavourings, bactericidal preservatives in solution.In fact, it dissolves other components present in a cosmetic formulation. Solvents are generally liquid (aqueous and non-aqueous).
Synonyms:

CAS: 2594628