Ppg-4-ceteareth-12 (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 4" has 4 propylene glycol molecular units. "ceteareth -12" denotes the polyoxyethylene ether of cetearyl alcohol containing an average of 12 units -CH2-CH2-O- (see also: laurethe as polyoxyethylene ether of lauryl alcohol; steareth as polyoxyethylene ether of stearyl alcohol, etc.).

PPG-4-ceteareth-12 is used in cosmetic formulations; the substance acts as an emulsifier (surface-active substance which is used in cosmetic preparations as an additive to combine 2 immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion).