Common Types of Silicone Oils in Cosmetics

Characteristics of Silicone Oil

Silicone oil has high-temperature resistance and good stability. Due to the weak molecular affinity, it has an extremely low surface tension, making it highly compatible with other oils. Silicone oil is highly inert, providing a refreshing and lightweight feel when applied to the skin with minimal irritation. The skin almost doesn't absorb it, so there's no concern about penetration. It is relatively environmentally friendly, as it can decompose when volatilized into the atmosphere and doesn’t accumulate in the body. Its low surface tension allows for quick application, giving cosmetics a smooth, non-greasy feel.

Common Types of Silicone Oils

1 • Dimethicone

Polydimethylsiloxane comes in various viscosities, typically ranging from 0.6, 5, 10, 100, 350, to 1000, with higher viscosity versions like 100k, 500k, and 1000k available. Low viscosity is ideal for lighter, refreshing skincare products, while high viscosity works well in moisturizing products. Ultra-high viscosity versions are used in hair care and scar-reducing products.

ShengQing Product: SQ-SIL 0.6/2/5/10/100/350/1000/5000/12500

2 • Phenyl Silicone Oil

Phenyltrimethicones are low-viscosity, colorless, transparent liquids with slight volatility, a high refractive index, and good compatibility with alcohols and organic components. They provide excellent anti-grease properties and improve the solubility of silicone oils and other fats. They can also enhance the gloss of creams.

ShengQing Product: SQ-SIL P556 ( INCI NAME:Phenyl Trimethicone )

3 • Cyclopentasiloxane

This is a colorless, odorless, non-irritating volatile liquid that offers excellent gloss, water resistance, smoothness, and dryness. It is easy to emulsify (low viscosity) and has a moderate evaporation rate. It is slower to evaporate than water or ethanol, ensuring good dispersibility and volatility. When it evaporates, it doesn’t leave a cold sensation or residue on the skin. It is typically used in volatile, refreshing creams and hair oils.

ShengQing Product: SQ-SIL D105 ( INCI NAME:Cyclopentasiloxane )

4 • Polyether-modified Silicone / Water-soluble Silicone Oil

This type of silicone oil is soluble in water, ethanol, and emulsifying systems, making it suitable as a skin moisturizer in skincare toners or as a conditioning agent in leave-in hair care products.

ShengQing Product: SQ-SIL 400S ( INCI NAME:PEG-12 Dimethicone )

5 • Silicone Emulsion

Silicone emulsions are commonly added to shampoos as conditioning agents. They require the use of suspending agents to prevent silicone oil from settling and provide good dry combing properties. A mixture of high and low molecular weight emulsified silicones achieves optimal results.

ShengQing Products: SQ-SE 785, SQ-SE 949L, SQ-SE 969

SQ-SE 785,  INCI Name： Dimethiconol & TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

SQ-SE 785U,  INCI Name： Dimethiconol & TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

SQ-SE 949L,  INCI Name： Amodimethicone & Cetrimonium Chloride & Trideceth-12

SQ-SE 969,  INCI Name： Amodimethicone & Cetrimonium Chloride & Trideceth-3 & Trideceth-15

6 • Silicone Emulsifier

Silicone emulsifiers combine silicone oil with water using special emulsification technology to create a light, smooth texture that allows products to penetrate the skin quickly, providing a silky sensation. These are widely used in skincare creams, lotions, and serums.

ShengQing Products: SQ-SE 1090, SQ-SE 1200, SQ-SE 1038

SQ-SE 1090,  INCI Name： Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone

SQ-SE 1200,  INCI Name： Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone

SQ-SE 1038,  INCI Name： Lauryl  PEG-9 Polydimethyl-siloxyethyl Dimethicone

SQ-SE 1225,  INCI Name： Cyclopentasiloxane & PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone

SQ-SE 1225D,  INCI Name： Dimethicone & PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone

7 • Aminosilicone

Aminosilicones provide excellent smoothness and repair for damaged hair. They are typically used in conditioners, hair masks, and hot oil treatments. Some aminosilicones may discolor during use.

ShengQing Product: SQ-SIL BA100 ( INCI NAME:Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone )

8 • Silicone Elastomer 

This type of silicone is made from cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, or a cross-linked polymer of these materials. It has a powdery texture and fills in skin wrinkles, offering a soft-focus effect. It is typically used in high-end creams, lotions, and eye care products to improve skin feel and provide matte, anti-wrinkle benefits.

ShengQing Products: SQ-SE 5040/5045/5093/5099

SQ-SE 5040,  INCI Name： Cyclopentasiloxane & Dimethicone Crosspolymer

SQ-SE 5045,  INCI Name： Cyclopentasiloxane & Dimethicone Crosspolymer

SQ-SE 5099,  INCI Name： Cyclopentasiloxane & Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

SQ- SE 5093,  INCI Name： Dimethicone & Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

9 • Dimethiconol

Dimethiconol provides an extremely smooth skin feel. It is known for making hair soft and silky, and can easily be added to shampoos and shower products. It emulsifies via anionic emulsification and maintains consistent viscosity throughout the seasons. This silicone oil helps prevent hair tangling caused by dryness during wet or semi-wet washing. It is usually combined with other silicone oils.

Applications of Silicone Oil

• Shampoos: 

  General use silicone emulsion, especially with different particle sizes, are often used. Older formulations may also include high-viscosity dimethicone emulsions but require attention to suspension issues.

• Hair Masks: 

  Aminosilicone oils are typically used to repair and nourish the hair.

• Skincare Emulsified Products:

  In creams and lotions, medium to low-viscosity dimethicone and phenyl silicone oils provide a fresh skin feel. Dimethiconol is used to modify the feel of the product, and elastomers are used in eye products and anti-wrinkle formulations to enhance smoothness and provide a matte effect.(such as SQ-SIL C143，INCI name：Dimethicone & Dimethiconol )

• Hair Oils:

  A combination of cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone (such as SQ-SIL B104,INCI name：Cyclopentasiloxane & Dimethicone ) forms the oil system used in hair care oils.

• Serum Oils: 

   Cyclopentasiloxane combined with elastomers and dimethiconol (such as SQ-SIL B104D,INCI name：Cyclopentasiloxane & Dimethiconol ) helps thicken and adjust the skin feel in serums.

• Water-based Products: 

   Polyether-modified silicone or water-soluble silicone wax is typically used to adjust skin feel and hydration.