Cyclomethicone

CAS No-556-67-2

Cyclomethicone is a general term describing both individual and/or a mixture of cyclic siloxane materials that have many uses and are found in a variety of consumer products. These materials are derived from the natural elements silicon and oxygen. Cyclomethicones are clear, odorless liquids utilized in skincare products to give your skincare that silky texture. Cyclomethicones are a type of silicone, so they help products to apply evenly and smoothly to your skin.

There are several types of silicones used in skincare and cosmetic products. You may already be familiar with silicones, probably the one you are most acquainted with is dimethicone. Cyclomethicones have a similar function to dimethicone in that they help improve the texture of products, improve the appearance of scarring, improve the water-resistance of products, and emulsify the product. However, Cyclomethicones are also better at delivering active ingredients to the skin.

Cyclomethicones are a subclass of silicone; there are many different cyclomethicones in that subclass. Cyclomethicones are sometimes also called cyclosiloxanes, they are different names for the same class of chemicals. The two most commonly used cyclomethicones are cyclopentasiloxane and cyclohexasiloxane; you may have seen these ingredients somewhere near the bottom of your product’s ingredients list.

Cyclomethicones have a ring-shaped structure that makes it more volatile or less stable. This instability allows cyclomethicones to evaporate when applied to your skin—making cyclomethicones a great ingredient for products that need to go on smoothly but not remain sticky after application. As all the cyclomethicone eventually evaporates, it leaves behind the other key components in the product to work their magic. This action of evaporation makes it an excellent carrier ingredient.