Propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol)" means a dihydric alcohol which, due to its chemical and physical properties, is widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and technology, both as a mono-substance and as a component of ester compounds. "isoceteth-3" means a polyoxyethylene ether of isocetyl alcohol The hydrophilic part is formed by short-chain polyethylene glycols (polyoxyethylene). The following numbering of isoceteth-12 indicates the average number of ethylene oxide units per mole in this case 12 ethylene oxide units per mole.
Propylene glycol isoceteth-12 acetate is used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as an emulsifier (a surface-active substance which is used as an additive in cosmetic products to combine two immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion).