The ingredient, explained

Cyclomethicone

Cyclomethicone has published research relevant to cosmetic safety assessment.

HumectantEmollientAntistaticHair conditioningViscosity controllingSolvent

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Cyclomethicone is a mixture of low molecular weight volatile cyclic siloxanes, the principal ingredients of which are octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane -D4-, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane -D5- and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane -D6-, in varying proportions

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Humectant: Helps attract and retain moisture.
Emollient: Helps soften and smooth the skin surface.
Antistatic: Reduces the build-up of static electrical charge on surfaces.
Hair conditioning: Improves cosmetic hair properties such as softness, shine or combability.
Viscosity controlling: Adjusts how thick or fluid a product is.
Solvent: Dissolves other ingredients in a formula.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Safety assessment

The report evaluates dermal absorption, irritation, sensitization and systemic toxicology in relation to cosmetic exposures.

What this does not tell us

Historical safety assessment under described uses. Mixture composition and exposure route matter. It supplies no isolated cosmetic benefit claim or current regulatory determination.

Sources for this summary. DOI 10.1177/1091581811428184 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Selective exact-identity review of 1 supplied local candidates and the targeted primary-source search recorded below. Bounded review, not a systematic search.