Ppg-25-butyl ether phosphates (inci)

PPG is the acronym for "polypropylene glycol", the polymer of propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol), a dihydric alcohol. The number after "PPG" indicates the average number of propylene glycol molecular units, e.g. "PPG-9" has 9 propylene glycol molecular units. "Butyl" generally designates butanol (1-butanol or n-butanol) as the alcoholic component, "ether" the linking product of 2 alcohol molecules via an oxygen bridge, "phosphate" salts/esters of phosphoric acid. PPG-25-butyl ether phosphate is used in cosmetic formulations; the substance acts as an emollient (makes the skin smooth and supple), emulsifier (surface-active substance used in cosmetic preparations as an auxiliary agent to combine 2 immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion) and as surfactant (washing-active substance; improves the even distribution of the products during application).