Ppg-23-peg-4 trimethylolpropane (inci)

PPG-23 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-23" this is 23 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 4 after "PEG-" indicates the average number of ethylene oxide units, here 4 molecular units. "trimethylolpropane" means the ethoxylated and propoxylated trishydroxymethylpropane as the alcoholic component.

PPG-23-PEG-4 trimethylolpropane is used in cosmetic formulations. The mixture of substances acts 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 emollient (makes the skin smooth and supple).