Cyclopentasiloxane for Skin: The Complete Guide

It's a mouthful, but it's actually quite common.

Cyclopentasiloxane

Type of ingredient: Emollient, lubricant, and solvent

Main benefits: Gives products a silky texture, seals hydration, and dissolves heavier ingredients

Who should use it: In general, anyone looking to soften their skin with a lightweight product

How often can you use it: Cyclopentasiloxane is safe to use on a daily basis.

Works well with: Robinson says it works well when combined with heavier oils or silicones because it makes them easier to spread on the skin.

Don't use with: Cyclopentasiloxane works well with most, if not, all other ingredients.

What Is Cyclopentasiloxane?

As if the name "cyclopentasiloxane" wasn't hard enough to say, we should point out that it's also known as decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. But no need to stress —you can keep it simple and call it D5, its other commonly used name, for short. Cyclopentasiloxane is described by Robinson as a silicon-based compound, and it's part of a larger category called cyclomethicone. It functions primarily as an emollient, comes in a colorless and odorless liquid form, and is found in a vast array of beauty products from skincare to haircare.

Benefits of Cylcopentasiloxane

Although cyclopentasiloxane has minimal benefits specific to the skin, it does have notable sensory properties and also helps in how the product functions.

• Spreads easily: Silicones are known for their slippery glide and smooth feel. Rabach says cyclopentasiloxane gives products a silky smooth texture that applies easily and leaves a non-greasy finish.
• Is inexpensive: Rabach says because cyclopentasiloxane is cheaper than other similar silicones, your products that contain it will also be more affordable as a result.
• Evaporates quickly: Cyclopentasiloxane is volatile, so it's often included in product formulations because it allows the products to dry faster.
• Is lightweight: Robinson says some silicones are heavy, but this one is particularly lightweight and used when a lighter feel is desired. This trait is especially helpful in haircare products so as not to weigh down the hair strands.
• Disperses heavier ingredients: Robinson says cyclopentasiloxane works well when combined with heavier oils or silicones because it makes them easier to spread and provides a nice feel to the skin.
• Seals hydration: According to Rabach, cyclopentasilxone forms a seal or barrier on the skin. This barrier protects against transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which can lead to inflammatory conditions. Cyclopentasiloxane also works similarly when used on the hair by coating the hair shaft. The molecular structure of silicones (large molecules with wide spaces between each molecule) means that the barrier they form is permeable, preventing the skin from "suffocating".

Side Effects of Cyclopentasiloxane

According to Rabach and Robinson, cyclopentasiloxane has no known side effects. It is not shown to cause irritation or sensitization and is generally well- tolerated. However, when trying any new product, always test it on a small area of skin first before applying it all over.

If you've researched the ingredient online, you'll see that the main concern comes from claims that it can act as a hormone disruptor, but Rabach says this isn't a valid concern. As she explains it, an ingredient needs to be absorbed into the skin to act as a hormone or endocrine disruptor, and according to one study, there was minimal percutaneous absorption (aka not a level that's cause for concern). This is supported by another study that proves the cyclopentasiloxane evaporates before any significant absorption. Romanowski adds that toxicology experts give it a daily safety margin exposure of 700X. For reference, a margin of exposure greater than or equal to 100 is generally considered to be protective.

"Hormone disruption is not a very specific thing," Romanowski explains. "It's very complicated, and as with all these things, the dose makes the poison. One molecule of cyclomethicone is not going to significantly impact your health, whether it is a hormone disruptor or not."

As for whether using cyclopentasiloxane with skin-penetrating elements like alcohol would, in turn, drive the silicone deeper into the skin, Romanowski says there is no cause for concern. "Some ingredients will help other ingredients penetrate a bit deeper but not so deep that they get into the dermis," Romanowski explains. "Also, alcohol does not really help with penetration as it evaporates too quickly."

How to Use It

Robinson says cyclopentasiloxane is safe for daily use, but how frequently and how much of the product containing the ingredient you should use depends on the product in question. For instance, if you're using it in the form of a moisturizer (one of its common vehicles), apply it after your toners and serums to seal the products underneath it and improve absorption.

The Best Products With Cyclopentasiloxane

This vitamin C treatment from Robinson's line isn't just a favorite of his; it sold out in a mere 24 hours when it launched. Not only does this powerful brightening serum fade existing dark spots, but it also stops new pigment from forming. What also sets this serum apart from the rest is its texture. As opposed to the usual liquid form of vitamin C products that leave the skin feeling sticky or slippery, this gel-cream formula leaves behind a silky after- feel—and Robinson credits cyclopentasiloxane for that.

Attention sensitive skin types: This unscented, alcohol- and sulfate-free deodorant is a must-try if you constantly struggle with irritation from your current antiperspirant and is one of our favorites. Almost as annoying as having irritated skin is waiting for your deodorant to dry before you get dressed. The sweat protection of this antiperspirant lasts up to 48 hours, but thanks to the volatile cyclopentasiloxane in this formula, the product only needs a few seconds to set.

Read more on: skin