CHAPTER 8: Silicones: The Future for Beauty and Everyday Care Check Access

Silicone has been a highly successful ingredient for many cosmetic products since the 1990s due to its superior properties and excellent versatility. Silicones are used extensively in many different fields to enhance our quality of life. Silicone is frequently known as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or dimethicone, despite there being numerous different types of functional silicones in the market today. Beyond basic hand lotions, shampoos and body foam, the use of cosmetics and protective creams are becoming increasingly popular. Moreover, expectations from consumers continue to increase as they become more conscious of the benefits of personal care. Many personal care companies are required to meet the varying needs of the consumers such as the skin feel, the aesthetical aspects or the product benefits. Silicones have become one major ingredient of investigation for these personal care products. Silicones utilised in personal care products consist of varying types such as linear, cyclic or organo-functional PDMS. Some may even include silicone elastomer dispersions and resins. Silicones may provide varying characteristics and function as water shields, emulsifiers or emollients in the respective products. This class of polymer also provides features such as excellent spreading, high volatility, film forming abilities and permeability. Its unique attribute of being smooth, with a silky and non-greasy texture attracted many consumers to include silicones in their daily lives. Most importantly, silicones are non-toxic, which is especially vital for personal care applications.