Ppg-12-peg-50 lanolin (inci)

PPG-12 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-12" this is 12 propylene glycol molecular units.

"PEG" means "polyethylene glycol", a polymer (macromolecule of low-molecular monomers - basic building blocks) of ethylene oxide (-CH2-CH2-O-). The number 50 after "PEG-" indicates the average number of ethylene oxide units, here 50 molecular units. "lanolin" refers to the ethoxylated and propoxylated lanolin as the basic substance. PPG-12-PEG-50 lanolin is used in cosmetic formulations. The mixture of substances acts as an emollient (makes the skin smooth and supple) and as an emulsifier (surface-active substance which is used in cosmetic products as an additive to combine 2 immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to one emulsion) and as a surfactant (washing-active substance; improves the even distribution of the products during application).