Quick answer
Synthetic silicone known for its lightweight, non-greasy, silky feel; Helps enhance skin’s hydration; Acts as a carrier to deliver other ingredients effectively and evenly; Can be found in a wide range of skin care, makeup, hair care and other personal care products; Deemed safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Key benefits: Hydration.
Cyclohexasiloxane
Updated
Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane
Purpose
Enhances skin’s hydration while also contributing to the formula’s silky texture and smooth spreadability. Helps distribute ingredients evenly and effectively to skin.
Rating
GOOD
Category
Silicone, Emollient, Solvent
INCI Purpose
HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SOLVENT
Benefits
Alternative Names
Hair Profile
Functions
At a Glance
Synthetic silicone known for its lightweight, non-greasy, silky feel
Helps enhance skin’s hydration
Acts as a carrier to deliver other ingredients effectively and evenly
Can be found in a wide range of skin care, makeup, hair care and other personal care products
Deemed safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
Article
Cyclohexasiloxane is one of several forms of synthetic, cyclic (meaning the molecule is circular rather than straight or crosslinked) silicone used in cosmetic formulas to improve texture and enhance skin’s hydration. It helps give skin care products a silky-smooth, spreadable consistency, so key ingredients can be delivered evenly to skin.
It is also known to promote aesthetically pleasing finishes that don’t feel sticky, tacky or greasy after application. In hair care, it is used to add shine and reduce frizz.
As a raw material, cyclohexasiloxane is a colorless liquid. It is described as a lightweight carrier ingredient since it evaporates from skin, leaving behind the formula’s key ingredients to work effectively.
This ingredient has been deemed safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (their report looked at products using between 0.0004-48% cyclohexasiloxane).
See: Silicone
References