What Is Ppg-38-Buteth-37?
Ppg-38-Buteth-37 is a synthetic ingredient created by linking small units of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide to a single butyl group. This gives a flexible chain that is both water loving and oil loving, which is why it blends well with many cosmetic bases. The ingredient entered personal care labs in the late 1980s when formulators were searching for gentler alternatives to harsher detergents. By adjusting the ratio of propylene oxide to ethylene oxide, chemists were able to fine-tune its softness on skin and hair while keeping good cleansing power.
Production begins with propylene oxide and ethylene oxide gases that react under controlled heat and pressure. A butyl alcohol starter acts as the first link, then the oxide units add one after another until the chain reaches the desired length of about 38 propylene units and 37 ethylene units. Once the reaction stops, the mixture is purified and tested for safety and consistency before shipping to cosmetic manufacturers.
Because it behaves as both a mild cleanser and a conditioning helper, Ppg-38-Buteth-37 shows up in shampoos, 2-in-1 hair washes, leave-in sprays, facial cleansers, micellar waters, lightweight lotions, sheet masks and even some color-stay makeup removers. Its ability to reduce surface tension helps formulas spread easily while its conditioning side leaves skin and hair feeling smooth.
Ppg-38-Buteth-37’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This multi-tasking ingredient adds several helpful qualities to everyday beauty products
- Hair conditioning – coats strands with a thin film that boosts slip, makes detangling easier and reduces static for a softer finish
- Skin conditioning – forms a light hydrating layer on the skin surface that helps lock in moisture without a greasy feel leaving the complexion smooth and refreshed
- Cleansing – lowers the surface tension of water so dirt, oil and makeup lift away more easily allowing for gentle yet effective cleansing even in sulfate-free formulas
Who Can Use Ppg-38-Buteth-37
Ppg-38-Buteth-37 is generally well tolerated by most skin and hair types. Its balanced cleansing and conditioning profile suits normal, oily, combination and moderately dry skin while helping hair that tangles or frizzes easily. Those with very dry or eczema-prone skin might prefer formulas where it is paired with richer emollients to avoid a tight feel.
The ingredient is made from synthetic petrochemical sources, not animals, so it is considered suitable for vegans and vegetarians. As always, final product status depends on the brand’s overall cruelty-free policy.
No published data links Ppg-38-Buteth-37 with reproductive or developmental concerns. Because it is a large polymer that stays mostly on the surface, absorption through skin is expected to be minimal. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals can typically use products containing it but this is not medical advice and it is wise to have any routine checked by a healthcare professional.
Ppg-38-Buteth-37 does not increase photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also color-safe for dyed hair and compatible with common actives such as niacinamide and panthenol.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Ppg-38-Buteth-37 differ from person to person. The effects listed below are possible yet uncommon when the ingredient is formulated and used correctly.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness, itching or a stinging sensation, especially on highly sensitive or broken skin
- Eye irritation if rinse-off products accidentally get into the eyes
- Scalp or skin dryness when used in very high concentrations or with frequent washing
- Rare allergic contact dermatitis presenting as patches of rash or swelling
If any unwanted reaction occurs stop using the product and consult a medical professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. Ppg-38-Buteth-37 is a large, water loving polymer that rinses away easily and does not leave an occlusive oil film on the skin. Because it is mainly used to improve slip and help cleanse, it rarely has the density or fatty structure that typically blocks pores. People who break out easily can usually use products with this ingredient without seeing an uptick in whiteheads or blackheads. In very concentrated leave-on formulas it could add a slight layering effect, but this is uncommon in everyday products.
Summary
Ppg-38-Buteth-37 works as a gentle cleanser, a light skin softener and a slip-boosting hair conditioner all in one. Its mixed propylene and ethylene oxide chain lowers water tension to lift grime while the butyl end clings just enough to hair or skin to leave a smooth, hydrated feel. The ingredient has a steady but quiet presence in shampoos, 2-in-1 washes, micellar waters and lightweight lotions; it is not a headline act yet formulators appreciate its reliability and mildness. Safety reviews place it in the low-risk category with irritation reported only in rare cases. As with any new product it is smart to perform a small patch test first, especially if your skin is highly reactive.