Current state of silicones: new white paper

By Lucy Whitehouse

- Last updated on GMT

Current state of silicones: new white paper
With sensorial benefits a top consumer demand, seeking out ways to enhance the feel and application of skin care products is a major priority for formulators. Here, we take a look at a new white paper on silicones, and pick out the industry highlights.

Specialty chemical company Dow Corning has released a new white paper​ on the application of silicones in skin care formulations, compiled by the company’s global technology leader for skin care, Isabelle Van Reeth.

The paper surveys the industry, noting that despite some consumer concern about their chemical, potentially bioaccumulative natures​, silicones have been used safely and effectively in skin care products for over 50 years.

Today, they continue to enjoy widespread use in personal care: silicones were present in more than half of new skin care launches in 2015, and have seen particular popularity thanks to the BB cream trend.

What can silicones do?

Silicones are a broad chemical family, rather than a single material, and there are many different variations of the type of silicone chain, or polymer.

When used in personal care formulations, silicones can offer multiple benefits and are considered a versatile ingredient. The following are the primary uses for silicones in personal care:

  • Sensory and texture enhancers
  • Emolliency and high spreadability
  • Transient to long-lasting effect
  • Wash-off and transfer resistant
  • Non-occlusive to semi-permeable
  • SPF enhancement
  • Protection
  • Cleansing

At the bench chemist levels, silicones allow the development of challenging formulations, such as for foundations and sun care, permitting the delivery of actives while maintaining a very good sensory profile​,” Van Reeth explains. “Silicones are valuable additives across all products for face care, color cosmetics, sun care and antiperspirants / deodorants​.”

The DOW paper notes that silicones have seen particularly widespread usage in foundations and tinted moisturisers in recent years, as they increase spreading and colour uniformity, and also help to disperse pigments in low viscosity systems.

With the ever-rising consumer demand for naturals and organics, silicones are increasingly coming under consumer scrutiny; however, due to the huge impact they can have on the texture and sensorial aspect of personal care products, many brands are opting to stick with silicones in their formulations. Time will tell if the demand for natural comes to outweigh their functional benefits.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Discover Peptan for Beauty & Diverse Skins

Discover Peptan for Beauty & Diverse Skins

Content provided by Rousselot | 05-Sep-2024 | Product Brochure

As beauty from within solutions soar in popularity, manufacturers need to be able to serve everyone, no matter their ethnicity or skin type.

FucoSkin®: Ocean-Inspired Sustainable Beauty

FucoSkin®: Ocean-Inspired Sustainable Beauty

Content provided by Hi-Q Marine Biotech International Ltd | 28-Aug-2024 | White Paper

FucoSkin® is a fucoidan-rich extract derived from the brown seaweed Laminaria Japonica, known for its excellent anti-aging and photoprotective benefits....

Collagen Reimagined, Discover Biodesigned Type XXI

Collagen Reimagined, Discover Biodesigned Type XXI

Content provided by Geltor | 20-Mar-2024 | Product Brochure

Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein and a mainstream ingredient for beauty. Type XXI collagen transcends a common protein into a powerful bioactive

Empowering natural barrier function for future-proof skin

Empowering natural barrier function for future-proof skin

Content provided by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics | 14-Mar-2024 | White Paper

Corneopeptyl™ is a new patented peptide biomimetic to the LCE6A protein, obtained by green chemistry-based synthesis. By mimicking the LCE6A protein activity,...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars

Podcast