Ppg-5-ceteth-20 (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, for "PPG-5" 5 propylene glycol molecular units. "ceteth-20" means the polyoxyethylene ether of the cetyl alcohol containing an average of 20 units of the monomer "-CH2-CH2-O- ".

PPG-5-ceteth-20 is used in cosmetic formulations; the substance acts as an emulsifier (a surfactant used in cosmetic preparations as an adjuvant to combine 2 immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion) and as a surfactant (a detergent substance; improves the even distribution of the products during application).