Silicones have become a staple ingredient in personal care products due to their numerous benefits. In this article, we will discuss what silicones are, why they are used in personal care products, and what benefits they offer. We will also address how the use of silicones can benefit B2B customers.
What are silicones?
Silicones are a class of synthetic compounds that are derived from (Si) silicon, a natural element found in sand and rocks. Silicones are used in personal care products due to their unique properties, such as their ability to form a protective barrier on the skin and hair, their resistance to water, and their ability to provide a smooth and silky feel to products.
Silicones come in different forms, including fluids, gels, and elastomers. They are used in a wide range of personal care products, including shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, sunscreens, and makeup products.
The use of silicones in personal care products has been shown to enhance the texture, feel, and appearance of the products, making them more appealing to consumers. Silicones also help to improve the efficacy of personal care products, making them more effective at achieving their intended results.
B2B customers can benefit from the use of silicones in their personal care products by improving the quality and efficacy of their products, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Why are silicones used in personal care products?
Silicones are used in personal care products due to their numerous benefits. They provide a range of functional and sensory benefits that can enhance the performance and appeal of personal care products.
One of the main benefits of using silicones in personal care products is their ability to form a protective barrier on the skin and hair. This barrier helps to retain moisture, prevent dehydration, and protect the skin and hair from environmental damage. Silicones also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by filling in gaps and smoothing out the skin.
Silicones also provide a smooth and silky feel to personal care products, making them more enjoyable to use. They can help to improve the spreadability and glide of products, making them easier to apply and spread evenly.
What are the benefits of using silicones in personal care products?
The benefits of using silicones in personal care products are numerous. Here are some of the key benefits:
● Provides a protective barrier on the skin and hair
● Retains moisture and prevents dehydration
● Protects the skin and hair from environmental damage
● Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
● Provides a smooth and silky feel to personal care products
● Improves the spreadability and glide of products
● Enhances the texture, feel, and appearance of personal care products
B2B customers can benefit from the use of silicones in their personal care products by improving product differentiation and increasing brand loyalty. By providing products that offer superior benefits and performance, B2B customers can set themselves apart from competitors and increase customer trust.
Are silicones safe to use in personal care products?
Silicones have been extensively studied for their safety and have been found to be safe for use in personal care products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), an independent panel of scientific experts, has evaluated the safety of silicones and has concluded that they are safe for use in personal care products.
However, some consumers may have concerns about the safety of silicones. B2B customers can address these concerns by providing transparency about the ingredients they use and ensuring that their products are compliant with regulations and industry standards.
B2B customers can also work with their suppliers to ensure that the silicones they use are of high quality and have been tested for safety. This can help to build trust with consumers and increase confidence in the safety of their products.
It is important to note that while silicones are generally safe for use in personal care products, some individuals may have sensitivities or allergies to certain types of silicones. B2B customers should be aware of this and offer alternative products for those with sensitivities.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, silicones offer numerous benefits for personal care products, including their ability to form a protective barrier on the skin and hair, their resistance to water, and their ability to provide a smooth and silky feel. B2B customers can benefit from the use of silicones in their personal care products by improving the quality and efficacy of their products, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
While concerns about the safety of silicones may exist, it is important to note that they have been extensively studied and found to be safe for use in personal care products. B2B customers can address these concerns by being transparent about their ingredients, ensuring compliance with regulations and industry standards, and working with high-quality suppliers.
Overall, the use of silicones in personal care products is a beneficial and effective way to enhance the performance and appeal of products. B2B customers can leverage the benefits of silicones to differentiate themselves from competitors and increase customer loyalty.
Basic Silicones
Our basic silicone range consists of cyclic silicones such as cyclopentasiloxane (D5), gum blends (dimethicone and dimethiconol of high molecular weight) and dimethicone oils with different viscosities (from 0.65 to 60.000 cSt).
Cyclopentasiloxane is a commonly used product in personal care formulations for its uniquely dry, non-greasy feel, spreadability and volatility.
These silicone oils can be used in hair care products, such as hair serums, bi-phase hair conditioners, hair masks, leave-on, and rinse-off conditioners and special hair treatment products to increase shine, wet and dry combability and softness. They are also being used in various skin care and color cosmetics formulations for their high spreadability and unique sensory.
| PRODUCT NAME | INCI NAME |
| SeraSense® GB 34 | Dimethicone (and) Dimethiconol |
| SeraSense® GBA 81 | C13-15 Alkane (and) Dimethicone |
| SeraSense® GBA 82 | C13-15 Alkane (and) Dimethiconol |
| SeraSense® SFA 83 | C13-15 Alkane (and) Dimethicone |
| SeraSense® SFA 84 | C13-15 Alkane (and) Dimethicone |
Phenyl and Alkyl Modified Silicones
The insertion of phenyl groups on polydimethylsiloxane polymers increases the refractive index, which brings shine benefits to hair care or make-up formulations. They are highly appreciated in gloss and lipstick formulations because of their shine enhancement and compatibility with organic products.
Alkyl-modified silicones have excellent compatibility with organic ingredients. Depending on their structure they can be highly volatile or non-volatile with non-greasy silky sensory. They have superior pigment dispersion benefits which make them perfect candidates for not only make-up products but also for make-up removing formulations.
Alkyl-modified silicones with a high melting point can be used as a thickening agent for O/W and W/O emulsions. They have excellent lubricity and a smooth, silky feel with high compatibility with organic ingredients.
| PRODUCT NAME | INCI NAME |
| SF1550 | Phenyl Trimethicone |
| SF1555 | Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone |
| Silsoft ETS | Ethyl Trisiloxane |
| Silsoft 034 | Caprylyl Methicone |
Silicone Resins
Our silicone resin portfolio comprises MQ and MT resins. These products are used for long-lasting, water repellency, and transfer resistance properties. They are very commonly used in color cosmetics products to create a long-lasting effect for pigments.
MT resins have a more flexible structure than MQ resins which will bring more comfort to the end-product.
Phenyl modified silicone resins bring excellent long-lasting glossy effect with non-migrating and non-tacky properties.
| PRODUCT NAME | INCI NAME |
| Silshine* 151 | Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate |
| Silform Flexible Resin | Polymethylsilsesquioxane |
| SR1000 | Trimethylsiloxysilicate |
| SS4230 | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Trimethylsiloxysilicate |
| SS4267 | Dimethicone (and) Trimethylsiloxysilicate |
| SilForm FR-10 | Trifluoropropyldimethylsiloxy/Trimethylsiloxy Silsesquioxane (and) Dimethicone |
Silicone Copolyols, Emulsifiers and Structurants
Our polyether silicone copolymers with low HLB value will help you create stable W/Si emulsions for skin care and make-up products with enhanced sensory and pigment dispersion ability. They can be used alone or with a co-emulsifier depending on the nature of the formulation.
Our microgel structurant consists of a cationic silicone copolymer with a polyacrylate network, which makes it swellable with the addition of water. This versatile product can make you achieve various textures: from gels to lotions, from butter to powdery and bouncy textures. It can emulsify high contents of natural oils and butter, with a highly pleasant and fresh sensory.
| PRODUCT NAME | INCI NAME |
| SF1528 | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone |
| SF1540 | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone |
| Silsoft 860 | PEG-10 Dimethicone |
| Silsoft 876 | PEG-12 Dimethicone |
| Silsoft EAU | Polysilicone-34 (and) Isononyl Isononanoate (and) Water |
| Harmony Mesh | Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (and) PEG/PPG–20/15 Dimethicone |
Polymethylsilsesquioxanes: TOSPEARL® SERIES
Polymethylsilsesquioxane microspheres are a series of mono-dispersed, micro-fine spherical cross-linked siloxane particles. Their particle size varies from 2 to 11 microns. These microspheres provide a variety of optical effects and sensory benefits in cosmetic formulations. Their light scattering property affects the direct and diffused light on the skin and impacts skin appearance by hiding skin imperfections and improving the glow and radiance of the skin. Reducing the contrast between imperfections and the skin will minimize the visual appearance of these flaws; this phenomenon is referred to as the "soft-focus effect". Due to this property, polymethylsilsesquioxane powders are frequently preferred in skin care formulations for an instant line-blurring effect and color cosmetics products such as foundations, concealers, and primers. Moreover, they have high oil absorption capacity, which makes them preferable for sebum control and mattifying products.
Our product range also includes an O/W emulsion of these microspheres, which is a multifunctional ingredient for water-based formulations. It is a very easy-to-use product that will provide an outstanding experience with moist-feel, line blurring, and powdery finish. It is highly recommended in water-based serums and sheet mask formulations.
| PRODUCT NAME | INCI NAME | PARTICLE SIZE |
| Tospearl 120A | Polymethylsilsesquioxane | 2 µm |
| Tospearl 145A | Polymethylsilsesquioxane | 4.5 µm |
| Tospearl 150KA | Polymethylsilsesquioxane | 5 µm |
| Tospearl 1110A | Polymethylsilsesquioxane | 11 µm |
| Tospearl 2000B | Polymethylsilsesquioxane | 4-6 µm |
| Tospearl 3000A | Polymethylsilsesquioxane | 4-7 µm |
| Silsoft E-Pearl PMF | Polymethylsilsesquioxane (and) Dimethicone (and) Isohexadecane (and) PEG-40 Stearate (and) Cetearyl Methicone (and) Steareth-2 (and) Steareth-21 | - |
Boron Nitrides: SOFTOUCH® SERIES
Boron nitrides are powders in platelet forms, they are present in various crystal morphology and particle size. Depending on their structure, they provide translucent, semi-matte, pearlescent, matte, or opaque effects. These platelets will improve skincare and make-up products by delivering superior lubricity and excellent adherence. The grades with higher particle sizes will allow light to reflect and result in a pearlescent or glittering finish. The hydrophilic grade of boron nitride will give an exceptional matte and opaque finish, which can be used not only in full coverage color cosmetics but also in skin tone evening or anti-redness skincare products.
| PRODUCT NAME | INCI NAME | PARTICLE SIZE |
| Softouch CCS402 | Boron Nitride | 47 µm |
| Softouch CC6097 | Boron Nitride | 5 µm |
| Softouch CC6004 | Boron Nitride | 11 µm |
| Softouch CC6069 | Boron Nitride | 9 µm |
| Softouch CC6059 | Boron Nitride | 6 µm |
| Softouch CC6058 | Boron Nitride | 11 µm |
| Softouch CCS102 | Boron Nitride | 15 µm |
Silicone Elastomers
Our elastomer gel range includes unique silicone crosspolymer networks swallowed in different types of carriers. They deliver an outstanding sensory experience in color cosmetics and skin care formulations. Depending on the network structure and the nature of the oil, they provide a powdery or moisturizing and long-lasting silky feel. They are also used as a thickening agent in the oil phase. The matte-finish and line blurring effects are highly preferred in make-up primers.
The O/W emulsion of silicone crosspolymer is an easy-to-use product in aqueous formulations. It delivers an exceptional cushioning effect with a velvety and soft skin after-feel.
| PRODUCT NAME | INCI NAME |
| Silsoft Silicone Gel | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer |
| SFE839 | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer |
| Velvesil 125 | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer |
| Velvesil DM | Dimethicone (and) Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer |
| Velvesil E-Gel PMF | Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (and) Dimethicone (and) Isohexadecane (and) Cetearyl Methicone |
| Velvesil Magic B-Gel | Dimethicone (and) Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (and) C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone (and) Cera Alba |
| Velvesil 034 | Caprylyl Methicone (and) C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer |
Derived Natural; HARMONIE SERIES
The HARMONIE product range combines Momentive’s world-leading technology with derived natural plant and mineral raw materials. This winning combination delivers more sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable high-performing beauty products. The first products launched under the brand include HARMONIE Soft Fluid, a highly volatile emollient and solvent that enhances product spreadability and sensorial properties, HARMONIE Silken Gum, a naturalized silicone gum range and HARMONIE Luxe-4 Powder, a natural silica microsphere.
| PRODUCT NAME | INCI NAME |
| HARMONIE Soft Fluid | C9-12 Alkane |
| HARMONIE GB 2301 | C9-12 Alkane (and) Dimethiconol |
| HARMONIE Silken E GUM | C13-16 Isoparaffin (and) Dimethicone |
| HARMONIE™ Silken OL GUM | C13-16 Isoparaffin (and) Dimethiconol |
| HARMONIE Luxe-4 Powder | Silica |
| HARMONIE Sleek Ionic Gel | C13-16 Isoparaffin (and) Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (and) Dimethicone |
|
HARMONIE™ EM 801 |
Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernal Oil (and) C12-14 sec-Pareth-5 (and) C12-14 sec-Pareth-9 |