CYCLOMETHICONE

📋 Quick facts

Description: CYCLOMETHICONE — silicone, lightweight smoothing, fast evaporating.

All Functions: silicone, lightweight smoothing, fast evaporating

Quick Facts:

• Category: emollient
• Regulatory Note: Prohibited in the EU

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Cyclomethicone is a silicone compound used as a skin and hair conditioning agent
• Research suggests minimal absorption through the skin when used in cosmetics
• Available data do not indicate skin irritation or sensitization potential
• Dermal exposure from cosmetics is unlikely to cause significant systemic exposure
• An expert panel concluded it is safe in current cosmetic use and concentrations

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane is an organosilicon compound. structure

Source(s): Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), ChEBI, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Cyclomethicone is a cyclic silicone polymer—essentially a silicone compound with a circular molecular structure (Int J Toxicol, 2011). It functions as a skin and hair conditioning agent, meaning it’s designed to improve how skin and hair feel and look. #1: One of the key safety findings is that when cyclomethicone is applied to skin, it shows minimal percutaneous absorption, which is a technical way of saying very little of it actually penetrates through the skin barrier into your body (Int J Toxicol, 2011). #2: The available research indicates no concerning potential for skin irritation or sensitization—sensitization refers to developing an allergic reaction over time (Int J Toxicol, 2011).

#3: Because absorption is minimal, dermal exposure to cyclomethicone from cosmetics is not likely to cause significant systemic exposure, meaning it won’t accumulate meaningfully in your body systems (Int J Toxicol, 2011). The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel, after evaluating the available data, concluded that cyclomethicone ingredients are safe when used in current cosmetic practices and concentrations (Int J Toxicol, 2011). It’s worth noting that research on cyclomethicone as a conditioning agent is limited in these sources; the second source (BMC Dermatol, 2012) primarily discusses cyclomethicone in a specialized lice-treatment formula rather than general skincare, so broader conditioning benefits are not detailed here.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Johnson W Jr et al. (2011). Safety assessment of cyclomethicone, cyclotetrasiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, and cycloheptasiloxane. Int J Toxicol.
• Barnett E et al. (2012). Effectiveness of isopropyl myristate/cyclomethicone D5 solution of removing cuticular hydrocarbons from human head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). BMC Dermatol.

🧴 Products Containing CYCLOMETHICONE

• Nivea Men NIVEA Men Active Energy Hydraterende Dagcrème
• Nivea cool kick
• Nivea, Nivea Sun Spray transparent protection invisible 30 haute
• Nivea stress protect
• Nivea, Nivea Men NIVEA Men Hyaluron Anti-age Gezichtscrème
• Nivea Perles de Q10 sérum concentré
• Nivea Hairmilk 7 Plus
• Nivea Nivea q10 plus anti rides
• Déodorant Sanex
• Dr Reddy’s Dr Reddy’s Venusia Derm
• Ponds
• Ruby Rose Pó facial
• Unilever, Pond’s Bio-Hydratante
• Unilever, Rexona Aclarado perfecto
• Henkel, Schwarzkopf Gliss Kur Hair Repair
• Nivea Nivea deodorant Aqua Cool For Men
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Day Care Q10 Plus C 50ml
• Sanex Natur Protect à la pierre d’alun 24h (duo pack)
• Colgate-Palmolive, Sanex Dermo 7 in 1 protection efficacity + care
• Sanex Atopiderm
• Sanex Natur protect anti-traces blanches 24h
• bodys natural care
• hand cream
• Eucerin
• Colgate-Palmolive, Speed Stick Lady Speed Stick Invisible Unscented Antiperspirant
• jack black Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20
• SANEX ZERO %
• Mira Dror Crystal Tears Serum "The power of youth"
• Mira Dror Suero orquídea express
• Mira Dror DD Cream and sunscreen
• L’Oréal, LASCAD, Mennen Gel ultra frais anti-transpirant X-treme Ocean surf 48H
• Mennen Gel ultra-frais anti-transpirant X-Treme Pacific Blue 48H
• Henkel, Schwarzkopf Brillance coloration permanente intense 891 Noir bleuté
• Henkel, Diadermine Lift+ Éclat Immédiat Soin Tenseur Éclat Anti-Âge Visage et Cou
• SANEX Sanex natur protect
• Henkel, Diadermine Lift + BB mousse Soin Anti-âge Teinté
• Henkel, Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Omega Repair
• Sanex Natur protect 48H deodorant
• L’Occitane, L’Occitane en Provence Crème réjouissante miel & citron
• Ducray Kélual Émulsion – Ducray