Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone Crosspolymer
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Cyclomethicone is a volatile silicone fluid that evaporates quickly upon application, leaving a smooth and silky feel on the skin. It helps to improve the spreadability and texture of cosmetic products.
Dimethicone, on the other hand, is a non-volatile silicone oil that forms a protective barrier on the skin's surface. It acts as an emollient, providing hydration and preventing moisture loss. Dimethicone also has a smoothing effect and can fill in fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a smoother appearance.
When cyclomethicone and dimethicone are cross-linked, they form a three-dimensional network or crosspolymer structure. This crosspolymer has a unique texture and provides enhanced performance compared to using each silicone compound individually. It helps to improve the stability and long-lasting effects of cosmetic products.
Cyclomethicone/Dimethicone crosspolymer is commonly found in various skincare and cosmetic formulations, including primers, foundations, lotions, creams, and serums. It contributes to the overall sensory experience of the product, providing a smooth and velvety feel upon application. Additionally, it can help to mattify the skin, control shine, and create a blurring effect, making it popular in products targeting pore minimization or oil control.
It offers several benefits when incorporated into formulations:
Enhanced Texture and Skin Feel: Dimethicone cyclomethicone crosspolymer helps to improve the texture of cosmetic products, providing a smooth and velvety feel upon application. It imparts a silky and non-greasy finish, making it particularly useful in products like primers, foundations, and lotions.
Pore-Minimizing and Smoothing Effect: This ingredient has the ability to fill in and blur the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores on the skin's surface. It creates a soft-focus effect, giving the skin a more even and refined appearance. This benefit makes it popular in primers and other complexion-enhancing products.
Enhanced Product Stability: Dimethicone cyclomethicone crosspolymer helps to stabilize emulsions and prevent the separation of oil and water-based ingredients in cosmetic formulations. This improves the overall stability and shelf life of the product, ensuring consistent performance over time.
Moisture Retention: As a silicone-based polymer, dimethicone cyclomethicone crosspolymer creates a breathable barrier on the skin that helps to reduce water loss and enhance moisture retention. This can help to improve the skin's hydration levels and overall softness.
Smooth Application and Spreadability: The presence of dimethicone cyclomethicone crosspolymer in cosmetic products can facilitate smooth application and enhance spreadability. It allows products to glide easily over the skin, ensuring even coverage and a seamless application experience.
It's worth noting that dimethicone cyclomethicone crosspolymer is primarily used as a texturizing and sensory-enhancing ingredient and may not provide long-term skincare benefits. It is often combined with other active ingredients and moisturizers to create comprehensive cosmetic formulations that offer both immediate aesthetic benefits and long-term skincare advantages.
Cyclomethicone is typically used at levels of 1-10% (up to 50% possible). It should only be added to the oil phase of the formulae and but cannot be heated about 50°C or can be mixed in during the cool down phase.
CAS: 556-67-2, 541-02-6
INCI: Cyclotetrasiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane
Appearance: Clear to slightly hazy liquid, odorless
Solubility: Very low water solubility (20 micrograms/L), soluble in alcohol, mixable in oils
Preservation: Preservative-free
Raw Material Source; Dimethyldichlorosilane and water
Manufacture: Cyclomethicone is made from dimethyldichlorosilane which is produced by powdered silicon (silicone dioxide) and methyl chloride. Dimethyldichlorosilane is then hydrolyzed to give a hydrolysate mixture of polysiloxanes. In a polymerization reaction with water the polysiloxanes are then polymerized to a cyclic polymer (cyclomethicone) consisting of either 4 siloxane units (cyclotetrasiloxane) or 5 siloxane units (cyclopentasiloxane).
Animal Testing: Not animal tested
GMO: GMO-free (does not contain plant-derived components)
Vegan: Does not contain animal-derived components