Ingredient

CYCLOMETHICONE

Name / description

Cyclomethicone: Earlier name for a mixture of Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) and Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

FRAGRANCE FUNCTIONAL

Functional ingredient (excipient) of perfume oils and / or flavours

HAIR CONDITIONING

Leaves the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and / or imparts volume

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Softens and smoothens the skin

SOLVENT

Dissolves other substances

Origin

synthetic (Information may exclusively reflect the status at initial entry of this ingredient into the relevant INCI dictionary; technological progress may have added new manufacturing options based on substances of different origin)

Occurrence in cosmetics

Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) is no longer used in cosmetic products.

Why are we talking about it?

Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is suspected of being an endocrine disruptor and a pollutant through accumulation and persistence in the environment. The facts: If in vitro studies (referring to studies carried out in an artificial laboratory environment, for instance in a test tube) seem to show a weak activity on the oestrogens of D4 (substance prohibited in cosmetic products); these data are not confirmed in vivo (referring to studies carried out on living organisms) and the in vitro studies do not show an endocrine disrupting potential for D5. Furthermore, dermal absorption of D5 is minimal. This is why European experts consider its use in cosmetic products to be safe (1). D5 is classified as very persistent and accumulating in the environment, which has led to its limitation to a very low dose in rinse-off cosmetic products (as they are then washed out in the rinsing water). A limitation to this very low dose is also being considered in leave-on cosmetic products. Key points to take away: D5 is not considered an endocrine disruptor. Its use in cosmetic products is safe. Measures have been taken by European experts to limit the release of D5 into waters because it is very persistent and very bioaccumulative. Sources: (1) Opinion of the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety SCCS/1549/15: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_174.pdf

Belongs to the following substance groups

Haircare substances / Conditioning agents

Ingredients for skincare

Perfume / Fragrances

Solvents

Surfactants

Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.

Understanding your cosmetics

How are cosmetics kept safe in Europe?

Strict laws make sure that cosmetics and personal care products sold in the European Union are safe for people to use. Companies, national and European regulatory authorities share the responsibility of keeping cosmetic products safe.

What should I know about endocrine disruptors?

Some ingredients used in cosmetic products have been claimed to be ‘endocrine disruptors’ because they have the potential to mimic some of the properties of our hormones. Just because something has the potential to mimic a hormone does not mean it will disrupt our endocrine system. Many substances, including natural ones, mimic hormones but very few, and these are mostly potent medicines, have ever been shown to cause disruption of the endocrine system. The rigorous product safety assessments by qualified, scientific experts that companies are legally obliged to carry out cover all potential risks, including potential endocrine disruption.

Are cosmetics tested on animals? No!

In the European Union, testing cosmetics on animals has been fully banned since 2013. Over the last 30 years, long before a ban was in place, the cosmetics and personal care industry has invested in research and development to pioneer alternatives to animal testing tools to assess the safety of cosmetics ingredients and products.

What about allergens in cosmetics?

Many substances, natural or man-made, have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances that are harmless to most people. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Cosmetics and personal care products may contain ingredients that can be allergenic for some people. This does not mean that the product is not safe for others to use.

Database

Cosmetics matter to people and play an important role in our everyday life. On average European consumers use over seven different cosmetics daily. You too? It’s only natural that you want to know more about the ingredients in those products.

In the digital world we live in, there’s a deluge of information on cosmetics. However, it can be difficult to know which sources are reliable. COSMILE Europe is a European cosmetic ingredient database that offers reliable, verified and scientifically supported information on almost 30,000 ingredients used in cosmetics.

This database will help you understand why certain ingredients are in your cosmetic products; which properties they have and much more. The database is currently available in fourteen languages with more to come.

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