How we scored it
Where it comes from
Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide from petrochemical crackers are polymerised under base catalysis into a central polypropylene oxide block flanked by polyethylene oxide blocks. No natural-origin route is commercial.
In plain English
A synthetic block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide that works as a surfactant. It helps oil and water mix and can solubilise small amounts of fragrance or oils in clear products such as toners and cleansers. It is made entirely from petrochemical raw materials.
CosIng definition: Oxirane, methyl-, polymer with oxirane (11;21)
Natural alternatives with the same function
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References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2POLOXAMER 124. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3POLOXAMER 124. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLOXAMER%20124