What it is
Cyclomethicone is a clear and odorless silicone. It has a drier finish than dimethicone.
What it does
Cyclomethicone is a lightweight spreading agent. It helps carry dimethicone, fragrance and essential oils into the skin and hair and evaporates quickly after application.
Its molecules are too big to enter the skin cells. It stays on the surface, making skin feel silky and creating a film on the skin that locks in moisture.
Side effects
Cyclomethicone is not comedogenic but can cause skin and eye irritation.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
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.
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.