What does Cyclomethicone do in skincare?
If you take a look at the back of your skincare products, you’ll find Cyclomethicone has slithered its way almost everywhere.
Thank its texture for it. It gives it some unique properties that make it a pleasure for formulators to work with and for us to use. Here’s the secret to its success:
What’s Cyclomethicone?
Cyclomethicone is a clear and odourless silicone. Sort of… Let me explain…
Cyclomethicone is a catch-all term to describe both individual and mixtures of cyclic siloxane materials derived from silicon and oxygen.
It differs from heavier silicones like dimethicone in two important ways: it has a drier finish and it evaporates quickly after application. Yep, this stuff doesn’t hang around to clog your pores. Yay!
P.S. Cyclopentasiloxane is NOT the same as Cyclomethicone. But it’s part of the mixture that makes it up.
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Cyclomethicone Benefits: What Does It Do For Skin?
Cyclomethicone was created in the early ’80s to give skincare products a smoother texture that allows them to glide on easily – without getting into your pores or sticking to skin cells.
Think about it. A skincare product only works if you can spread it all over your face equally. If you struggle to spread it evenly, you’ll get more retinol on your cheeks and a little less on your forehead, where you need it the most.
Heck, in the case of sunscreen, an uneven layer means that you’re leaving patches of skin unprotected. Hello, wrinkles!
Its smooth texture gives cyclomethicone the slip it needs to carry your skincare products – and the active ingredients they contain – evenly all over your skin.
What Else Does Cyclomethicone Do In Skincare?
Cyclomethicone has a few other jobs in skincare, but they all have something to do with enhancing the feel of the texture (both of the product and your skin):
- Conditioning agent: It makes both skin and hair softer and smoother to the touch. But, because it evaporates quickly, it doesn’t do this too well or for long. But when it does evaporate, it leaves skin silky instead of sticky.
- Solvent: It helps dissolve other ingredients (mostly perfume and fragrance oils) to enhance the texture and sensory feel of the product.
- Viscosity-controlling agent: Its alters the thickness of liquid skincare products.
- Water-repellant: Like all silicones, it creates a protective barrier on the skin that repels water. But, again, it evaporates quickly, so it’s not the best ingredient for this job.
Does Cyclomethicone Cause Breakouts?
No, cyclomethicone (and all silicones, for that matter) does NOT clog pores and cause breakouts.
Like all silicones, cyclomethicone has a particular molecular structure made up of large molecules with big spaces in between each molecule. This means that it can’t penetrate pores nor suffocate skin.
So, why do people think silicones cause breakouts? Heavier silicones, like Dimethicone, create a barrier on the skin that can trap some comedogenic ingredients underneath.
So, if you’re using coconut oil and then slather silicones on top, you may get a breakout. But silicones themselves are not comedogenic.
Related: The Complete List Of Comedogenic Ingredients In Skincare
Does Cyclomethicone Have Any Side Effects?
Cyclomethicone is generally considered to be safe. Having said that, there’s always the tiny risk it may irritate sensitive skin (heck, there are even people allergic to water!).
Always do a patch test before putting something on your skin. Just in case.
What Are The Best Skincare Products With Cyclomethicone?
- Cosrx Balancium Comfort Ceramide Cream ($26.00): Available at Beauty Bay, Dermstore, Feel Unique, Soko Glam, and Yes Style
- Epionce Daily Shield Lotion Tinted SPF 50 ($40.00): Available at Dermstore
- Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer For Normal To Oily Skin ($29.00): Available at Dermstore and Paula’s Choice
The Bottom Line
Cyclomethicone is a volatile silicone that gives slip to skincare products, improves their texture, and carries active ingredients into the skin before evaporating into thin air. It’s safe to use and doesn’t clog pores.
What’s your take on Cyclomethicone in skincare? Let me know in the comments below.
Nicely put, silicones can be used to make excellent skincare products. You might want to warn people who are squeamish about that kind of thing that they have been extensively tested on animals.
Maybe “extensively tested on animals” is not a positive thing for consumers?
Silvia, all ingredients have been tested on animals as some points. I don’t like it, but alternatives to animal testing haven’t always existed and even now, we don’t have alternatives to toxicology tests. These, unlike irritations or performance tests, must still be performed on animals. Hopefully, one day scientists will find a way to replace those too and animal testing won’t be necessary anymore.
thanks for the lovely post 🙂 HELPFUL!!!
Ahhhhh it’s good to know, I was looking for ingredient lately and my friend told me dimethicone is also some type of silicone. I really liked turnaround skin renewer and I found out it contains dimethicone that’s why I felt so smooth on my skin after I applied.
Colin: silicones are widely used because they’re very effective. Unfortunately you’re right and they’ve been tested a lot on animals, but then most (if not all) cosmetics ingredients have been tested on animals at some point. I don’t like it either but it’s true.
Nikki: you’re welcome. I’m glad you find it helpful.
Digital Angel: dimethcone is probably the most famous and used type of silicone. It makes skin feel very soft and prevents moisture loss. Unfortunately though, it is comedogenic. I blogged about dimethicone a few months ago, you can read this post if you want more information:
http://beautifulwithbrains.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/know-your-ingredients-dimethicone/
thank you so much for this page, it’s so helpful! i was wondering if you knew if i could use cyclomethicone as a substitute for Dipropylene Glycol? i’m wanting to make my own reed diffuser oils and this is the product they suggest, but cyclomethicone seems to have the same properties? if you have any ideas i would be very appreciative!
Emma Dipropylene Glycol is used to decrease the thickness of products, while Cyclomethicone makes the product more easily spreadable and can also be used as a base solvent for perfumes and essential oils so I think you could use it. I’m a cosmetic chemist though, this is just my personal opinion. Personally, I suggest experimenting with both and see what works best.
Great info, just have one question. In one sentence, it states that cyclomethicone evaporates quickly after application, but the following sentences state it creates a film that locks in moisture. I’m confused. If it evaporates how can it still create a film? Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Zerocoolminx, all silicones lubricate skin and create a protective barrier on it but in this case, because it evaporates quicky, this barrier doesn’t last long. It locks in moisture but only temporarily and not as long as other silicones like dimethicone. I should have explained more clearly, sorry for that.
Hello, quite inquisitive about different silicones and glad I found this site. I was just wondering, since you said that cyclomethicone forms a layer on the skin, doesn’t that block the pores and cause more breakouts? thanks x
WilliamT, silicones aren’t comedogenic on their own. But if used with comedogenic ingredients, such as Isopropyl Palmitate, they will trap those under the barrier they form, and thus cause breakouts.
In any case, after further research, I discovered that Cyclomethicone is one of the most volatile silicones available so it won’t remain on the skin too long. Silicones like Dimethicone, which stay on the skin a lot longer, are more likely to cause problems when used with comedogenic ingredients.
I see, makes a lot more sense now. I’m still wondering though, I see dimethicone in the ingredients lists on a lot of skincare products even marked for oily/acne-prone skin. Do you think it will break me out? or does that depend on the other ingredients with it.
WilliamT, it depends on the other ingredients. Dimethicone isn’t comedogenic on its own, so unless the formula doesn’t contain any pore-clogging ingredients, you should experience no breakouts.
cyclomethicon and dimethicone are common ingredients
in sex lubricants. Is there any risk to internal areas and tissues during intercourse?
Trudy, I don’t believe they are dangerous, but I’m not an expert on the topic. You should ask your doctor.
I’m a bit confused about it’s use as a base for perfumes. On the essential oils info, it states that they shouldn’t be applied to the skin, neat, as they may cause irritation or burning. If this cyclomethicon is used as the carrier and then evaporates off very quickly, how is that going to prevent the essential oils being left neat on the skin?
Jacqui, there really isn’t a straight answer. Cyclomethicone doesn’t work as a base for all perfumes. Even when it’s used with essential oils, whether they’re bad for the skin depends on the type of essential oil, its concentration, what else is in the formula… That’s why it’s best to use products formulated by professionals rather than making your own.
If you are allergic to sulfa and sulfate can you use cyclomethicon ?
Theresa, I think you can.
Your amazing GIO. Thank you for all you input. This was so helpful.
Poetically Speaking, thanks and my pleasure! Glad it helped. 🙂
Excellent information and conversation exchange! What is the usual % dosage of Cyclomethicone in leave-in conditioners?
Ash, concentrations vary depending on the product, but the average is 2%.
Hi there,
So glad this thread is still alive.
I’ve heard that cyclomethicone is a good base to use at 90% with essential oils like lavender to use in a linen spray with an atomizer. Would you agree or do you think it needs dilution and if so, with what that wouldn’t require a preservative? Thanks!
Krystal, hi! This is not a DIY blog. Please visit https://www.makingcosmetics.com/ or http://www.skincaretalk.com/forumdisplay.php/22-DIY-Skin-Care for all your DIY questions. 🙂