What are the Roles of Silicone Oil in Cosmetics?

Silicone oil is extremely widely used in daily life. Whether as a medical auxiliary product or a textile auxiliary product, it holds an important position. In the field of cosmetics, silicone oil is also extensively utilized. So, what characteristics does silicone oil possess that enable it to play a role in cosmetics? The following is a detailed introduction for you.

1. Polydimethylsiloxane

Polydimethylsiloxane is a colorless and odorless transparent liquid, which is widely used in creams and hair - care cosmetics. It can significantly enhance the smooth and delicate feeling of the skin, leaving no greasy or residual feeling after application. In terms of hair care, it can make hair soft, smooth, effectively improve combing convenience, and increase hair luster. Lipsticks made with polydimethylsiloxane can make the lips soft and comfortable, avoid a dry feeling, and make the coating smooth and durable. In hair - washing products, shampoos containing a high content of polydimethylsiloxane can bring a soft and smooth hand - feel during hair - washing. After rinsing, the hair has excellent combability. Regardless of the thickness of the hair and the degree of damage, it can be easily combed through. After the hair is dried or blow - dried, it not only has a soft and bright luster but also feels like holding black silk satin when held in the hand.

2. Polymethylphenylsiloxane

Polymethylphenylsiloxane also presents as a colorless and transparent liquid, and its physical properties vary with the change of molecular weight. When the content of medium - phenyl and high - phenyl increases, its thermal stability is improved, and it has excellent radiation resistance. Based on these characteristics, it is widely used as a matrix raw material for hair - care and cream - type cosmetics. Polymethylphenylsiloxane has a strong film - forming ability, has minimal irritation to the skin and eyes, and is safe for humans. Therefore, it can be used as a mask film - forming agent, hair conditioner, and radiation - resistant agent in sunscreen products.

3. Polydimethylcyclosiloxane

Polydimethylcyclosiloxane mainly includes octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5). Both D4 and D5 are colorless and transparent liquids with low viscosity, good volatility, strong fluidity, excellent spreadability, and extremely low surface tension. These characteristics enable it to endow cosmetics with advantages such as quick - drying, smooth surface, and good gloss. In addition to being applied in skin - care, antiperspirant, deodorant and other products, it is also often used in beauty cosmetics and hair sprays.

4. Silicone glycol copolymer

This type of silicone oil is a copolymer formed by attaching hydrophilic polyether groups to the hydrophobic polysiloxane chain segments. After modification, it has non - ionic properties, can significantly reduce the surface tension, and can be dissolved in water in any proportion without emulsification. Therefore, this type of silicone oil is often referred to as water - soluble silicone oil. In the application of cosmetics, it is mainly used as a conditioner, which can effectively improve the combability of hair. Both wet - combing and dry - combing become easier. At the same time, it also has an anti - static effect, which can prevent hair from flying, and is often used in shampoos, mousses, hair sprays and other products.

5. Amino - modified silicone oil

Amino - modified silicone oil is an organosilicon compound formed by replacing the methyl groups in polydimethylsiloxane with amino - alkyl groups. Research shows that silicone oil with amino functional groups is a very unique long - chain conditioner. This type of silicone oil can improve wetting and lubrication properties and has good compatibility with cationic and non - ionic emulsifiers. In cosmetics, it is often used in shampoos, hair conditioners, hair creams and other products. It can not only increase the luster, softness and combability of hair but also improve the hair - fixing effect and is easy to wash off during cleaning.