PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
AKA “Silicone Glycol Copolymer, Dimethicone Copolyol”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone
AKA: Silicone Glycol Copolymer, Dimethicone Copolyol
Surfactant · Emulsifying · EWG: 2
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Silicone
Clean
Siloxanes and silicones, dimethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl methyl, ethoxylated, propoxylated (18 mol EO, 18 mol PO average molar ratio)
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Emulsifier
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Developed in the late 20th century as a silicone-based hybrid polymer combining polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and dimethicone. Created to improve the feel and spreadability of cosmetic formulations while providing water and silicone solubility.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Agencies
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Preliminary 1 month stability screening of cosmetic multiple emulsions (W/O/W) prepared using cetyl dimethicone copolyol and Polysorbate 80.
Khan H, Akhtar N, Mahmood T, Jameel A, Mohsin S
International journal of cosmetic science, 2015
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR