What Is Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone?
Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone is a silicone based ingredient created by taking classic dimethicone and attaching roughly 20 units of ethylene oxide and 20 units of propylene oxide to each end of the molecule. These extra units give the silicone a water friendly side and an oil friendly side, turning it into a gentle surfactant. The starting material, dimethicone, comes from silica that has been processed into silicone oils. Manufacturers carry out controlled polymerization, capping the silicone chain with ethylene and propylene oxide blocks, then purifying the result so it meets cosmetic grade standards.
Silicone chemists first explored this type of “peg/ppg” modified dimethicone in the late 1970s when the beauty industry wanted silicone smoothness without the greasy feel. Its ability to bridge oil and water quickly made it popular in lightweight lotions and rinse off products. Today you will find Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone in items like facial moisturizers, hydrating serums, make-up primers, sunscreens, cream cleansers, micellar waters, sheet mask essences, leave-in conditioners and anti frizz sprays.
Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This multitasking silicone gives formulators several practical advantages
- Skin conditioning – forms a breathable film that helps skin feel soft and silky, reducing the appearance of rough patches and fine lines
- Emollient – fills in gaps between dead skin cells, smoothing the surface and adding a lightweight, non greasy glow
- Cleansing – its hybrid structure lifts away dirt and makeup while cushioning the skin so cleansers rinse without tightness
- Emulsifying – stabilizes oil and water mixtures, preventing separation so creams and lotions stay uniform over shelf life
Who Can Use Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone
Thanks to its lightweight silky feel and low tendency to clog pores, Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone is generally suitable for dry, normal, combination and oily skin. Those with very sensitive or reactive skin often tolerate it well because the molecule is too large to penetrate deeply and has a neutral pH. Only people who know they are allergic to silicones or to ethylene or propylene oxide derivatives might need to avoid it, but such allergies are rare.
The ingredient is manufactured from mineral-derived silicones and petrochemical ethylene and propylene oxides, not from animal sources, so it is considered vegan and vegetarian friendly. As always formula changes can happen so strict vegans should verify that the finished product has not been tested on animals if that is a concern.
Current safety data show no specific risks for pregnant or breastfeeding women when Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone is applied topically. It is classified as non-sensitising and the molecule’s size limits systemic absorption. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should review any skincare product with a physician to be extra safe.
The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity and has no known interactions with UV exposure. It can even improve the feel of sunscreens by reducing greasiness and helping the film spread evenly.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone differ from person to person. The effects listed below are possible but unlikely for most users when the ingredient has been formulated and preserved properly.
- Mild transient redness or itching in individuals who are silicone sensitive
- Watery eyes or slight stinging if a product containing it accidentally gets into the eyes
- Temporary buildup-related dullness or clogged-looking pores in very congestion-prone skin if heavy layers are not cleansed off thoroughly
- Contact dermatitis in the extremely rare case of an allergy to ethylene or propylene oxide segments
If any irritation or other adverse effect occurs stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5 – Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone is considered very low on the pore-clogging scale. The molecule is large, sits on the skin surface then rinses away more easily than traditional silicones because the added ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units make it partially water dispersible. This limits the chance of it trapping oil and debris inside pores.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin in most cases.
Remember that comedogenic scores apply to single ingredients tested in isolation. How a finished product behaves depends on the full formula, how much of the ingredient is included and personal skin chemistry.
Summary
Bis-Peg/Ppg-20/20 Dimethicone smooths, softens, cleanses and stabilises formulas all in one. It conditions skin by forming a light breathable film, works as an emollient by filling microscopic gaps between skin cells, lifts dirt and makeup thanks to its oil-and-water-loving ends and keeps emulsions from separating so creams feel uniform from the first pump to the last.
The ingredient is a quiet workhorse rather than a headline grabber. It is seen in many modern moisturisers, sunscreens, micellar cleansers and hair products where a silky yet non-greasy feel is desired.
Safety data rate it as non-sensitising and non-irritating with virtually no systemic absorption. Still, skin can be unpredictable so do a small patch test whenever you try a new product that contains it just to stay safe.