What is Cyclopentasiloxane

A non-toxic silicone known for waterproofing and lubricating qualities. Leaves skin silky-smooth and is a great dry skin remedy.

Cyclopentasiloxane is a colorless, odorless, transparent, non-greasy and non-toxic silicone fluid. One of the many types of silicones known for the ability to lubricate and waterproof, water-thin. Cyclopentasiloxane helps spread heavier silicones and is often used in combination with Dimethicone.

A quick-evaporating fluid without greasy residue that leaves skin feeling silky, it is widely used in cosmetic applications as a base fluid and carrying agent.

In beauty products, cyclopentasiloxane is mainly used as a conditioner, delivery agent, lubricant and solvent. Like all other silicones, this ingredient has a unique fluidity that makes it easily spreadable. When applied to the skin and hair, it gives a silky and slippery feeling to the touch and acts a mild water repellent by forming a protective barrier on the skin. 

Its ability to impart a wet and silky look makes it an ideal candidate in hair products, both rinse-off and leave-on ones. It’s particularly useful in hair conditioners because it provides a silky feel without weighing the hair down with greasy residue. 

Because of its water-thin consistency, it helps deliver heavier silicones also contained in a product; and for this reason is often used in conjunction with dimethicone. In fact, as a volatile silicone it quickly evaporates into the air after delivering nutrients to the skin and hair.  You can mostly find this ingredient in products such as foundation, facial moisturizer/lotion, hair dye, shampoo/conditioner, styling gel, anti-frizz treatment, sunscreen, anti-aging treatment and deodorant/antiperspirant.

Silicones such as cyclopentasiloxane do not appear to have adverse effects on the human body, there are many concerns regarding the harmful effects it may have on the environment (i.e. marine life). For this reason, many countries like Canada have requested the silicone industry to provide more information and scientific data regarding its safety. Cyclopentasiloxane may cause mild skin and eye irritation, according to the ingredient’s material safety data sheet, and a small percentage of it reaches systemic circulation through dermal absorption, as found in a study by the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences.