Common Name(s): Peg/ppg-5/3 trisiloxane,silicone superspreader,trisiloxane wetter

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Helps products spread instantly on skin and improves how other ingredients absorb.

Why It's Used: A 'superspreader' silicone surfactant; the short trisiloxane backbone and peg/ppg arms provide exceptional surface spreading efficiency at very low concentrations.

How It Works: Short si-o-si-o-si trisiloxane backbone has very low surface energy; peg/ppg arms provide amphiphilicity; the combination dramatically reduces surface tension enabling superspreading on skin.

Typically Found In: Fast-absorbing serums,sunscreens,delivery systems,after-sun products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emulsifier

Secondary Functions: Wetting agent,skin conditioning,spreading agent

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–2%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Silicone-based; synthetic; trisiloxane backbone. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: status downgraded on audit. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low

Sensitivity Concerns: Generally well tolerated; trisiloxane is volatile and may evaporate from skin.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Cyclopentasiloxane,dimethicone,active ingredients

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Silicone trisiloxane surfactants (especially with peg/ppg modifications) are known as 'superspreaders' due to their ability to reduce surface tension to <22 mn/m, enabling spreading on hydrophobic surfaces; used in agricultural adjuvants and cosmetics.

Last Verified: 2026-03-27

Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary