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STEARYL DIMETHICONE

Last update on Nov 21, 2024
Stearyl Dimethicone is a silicone based ingredient that enhances texture, spreadability, and overall sensory experience of cosmetics. It is an effective emollient that provides a soft, smooth feel on the skin and forms a protective barrier to help lock in moisture. It helps products glide smoothly across the skin without feeling greasy or sticky. This property is especially beneficial in face creams, body lotions, and makeup products. Due to its water-resistant nature, Stearyl Dimethicone is often used in long-wear formulations where it helps maintain product integrity on the skin for extended periods. In its raw form, it appears as a colorless or pale yellow waxy solid. The chemical formula of Stearyl Dimethicone is C27H64O3Si4.
CAS Number: 67762-83-8Chem/IUPAC Name: dimethyl-(methyl-octadecyl-trimethylsilyloxysilyl)oxy-trimethylsilyloxysilaneEINECS/ELINCS No: COSING REF No: 38326

Products with STEARYL DIMETHICONE

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Emfinity® AS 2836

by BRB International BV

INCI: STEARYL DIMETHICONE | OCTADECENE
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What is STEARYL DIMETHICONE used for?

Stearyl Dimethicone is widely used in cosmetics for its emollient, conditioning, and film-forming properties. In skincare products, it provides a smooth, non-greasy feel, locking in moisture and enhancing spreadability, making it ideal for creams, lotions, and anti-aging treatments. In makeup, it helps foundations and primers glide on smoothly, improving wear time and creating a velvety finish. Additionally, Stearyl Dimethicone is used in hair care where it adds softness, shine, and detangling benefits, helping to smooth and protect the hair cuticle. Its water-resistant quality also makes it useful in sunscreens and long-wear formulas, as it helps products stay in place under various conditions.

Origin

Stearyl Dimethicone is created by chemically bonding stearyl groups, derived from stearyl alcohol, to a dimethicone silicone backbone. This modification provides a compound with silicone’s characteristic smoothness and spreadability, combined with the emollient qualities of the stearyl group. The synthesis requires controlled conditions, often involving catalysts to ensure proper attachment of the fatty and silicone components.

What does STEARYL DIMETHICONE do in a formulation?

EMOLLIENT|
FILM FORMING|
HAIR CONDITIONING|
SKIN CONDITIONING|
SMOOTHING

Safety Profile

Stearyl Dimethicone is generally considered non-toxic and safe for cosmetic use, with a low risk of skin irritation or sensitization. Regulatory bodies like the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) have evaluated silicones, including Stearyl Dimethicone, and approved them for topical use within recommended concentrations. However, like other silicones, it is not biodegradable, leading to environmental concerns over its persistence.

STEARYL DIMETHICONE alternatives

STEARYL DIMETHICONE technical profile

Property Values
Melting Point 30-40°C
Solubility Insoluble in water
Viscosity Low to medium