Silicone is a chemical component that is found in almost all cosmetics. Around this element there are a huge number of rumors alleging its danger. However, it is necessary to figure out whether he is as scary as they say about him.
Definition
Cyclopentasiloxane is a polymer that is often used in manufacturing. As a rule, it is added to hair products, for shaving and in decor. The benefit is based on the properties of volatile silicone, which are the basis of this polymer.
Cyclopentasiloxane as a part of cosmetics gives it silky and soft, as well as good flowability without an oily trace and a feeling of greasy. The component perfectly combines with a large number of organic solvents, with glycerin, waxes, aromatic hydrocarbons and alcohols.
Application area
Used as a base fluid for a number of personal care products, it adds special properties that many women and men like.
This item is used in:
- deodorants;
- antiperspirants;
- cleansing creams;
- hair products that are in aerosol packaging;
- pencil lotions;
- bath oils;
- shaving and tanning products;
- nail polishes.
Two polymers are combined in hair care cosmetics: dimethicone and cyclomethicone, which results in a new compound called cyclopentasiloxane dimethicone. The first lowers the viscosity of the contents and improves the distribution along the entire length, and the second creates a thin film on the curls that gives shine and silkiness. The compound has an unusually low evaporation temperature, so at the time of volatilization it does not cool the skin, unlike others.
Cyclomethicone is often used in its pure form, but sometimes it is used in combination with other cosmetic components as a liquid base. It shows excellent solubility in a huge amount of anhydrous alcohols. It goes well with many organic ingredients, and also complements various pigments well. It is an excellent distributor of fats and oils. After application, the skin leaves a slight feeling of silkiness.
What is cyclopentasiloxane used in cosmetics for?
Silicones make skin care products light and gentle. If at the time of testing the foundation, the contents are applied quite simply, then it is made with this polymer. Such cosmetics significantly improves the appearance of the skin, as it makes it smoother. It should be noted that after washing off, the appearance will again become the same. Silicone in mascara helps to evenly distribute it on the cilia, and in the shines and lipsticks, thanks to it, a mirror shine appears.
Cyclopentasiloxane in hair cosmetics provides their protection, and the resulting film envelops the strands and connects split ends. It is also considered quite important that this component is not a breeding ground for bacteria and therefore is considered an excellent alternative to fats, but these products can not be used for a long time.
Kinds
Today, the production market offers four classes of polymers.
- Water-soluble, most often used in shampoos, as they are easy to rinse with water.
- Silicone oils are found in tonal foundations, creams, conditioners and other therapeutic and care products. They add shine, smooth the skin and make curls smooth.
- For products that provide thermal protection, volatile elements are used, which include cyclopentasiloxane. In hair cosmetics, it serves for ease of styling, as well as to improve the condition, but use is still not worth abuse.
- High polymer - most often found in professional products. They create a dense film on the strands, which exposes them in the most favorable light, giving uniformity, smoothness, a radiant appearance and shine. However, this protection is not completely removed after washing off and leads to the fact that the hair remains without the possibility of obtaining nutrients, begins to lose its elasticity and beauty, falls out and becomes thinner.
Before purchasing any care product, you must carefully read its composition.
Advantages of cyclopentasiloxane in cosmetics
That this is a popular component can be understood by everyone, since it is part of 70% of the assortment on the market. The popularity of this substance is easily explained, because the products in which it is found bring an instant visible effect of luxury.
The action of the element for beautiful curls is as follows: it envelops each hair with an invisible film, smooths and solders the scales, as a result they turn out to be shiny and smooth. It performs the function of sound glue for split ends, and also does not allow the color pigment to be washed out after staining. The density of the appearing membrane completely depends on the amount of cyclopentasiloxane in cosmetics.
The polymer has another significant plus: it protects the skin, lips and hair from the harmful effects of the environment, namely chlorine, temperature changes and active ultraviolet rays.
The styling process due to this composition is much easier, the curls dry faster, are easy to comb and are protected from harmful heat treatment with a hairdryer, iron and tongs.
disadvantages
Despite all the positive qualities of the component, it can have a negative effect. Silicone is not a restorative and therapeutic agent, and this applies to absolutely all products of which it is included, even if the label says "regeneration", it can provide only visual improvement.
In the future, with frequent use of cyclopentasiloxane in hair cosmetics, the harm can be greater than the benefit. Over time, it ceases to strengthen curls and makes them more fragile, dull and brittle. The protective film prevents the penetration of nutrient vitamins and substances into the scalp and strands. As a result, metabolic processes are disrupted, the normal circulation of oxygen and blood decreases.
If such funds are used constantly, then cyclopentasiloxane accumulates in the hair shaft. The harm that is done is considerable, since the curls instead of the former gloss begin to take a dull shade, a sloppy appearance and are difficult to style. Moreover, such an action is exerted by all silicones, and not certain types thereof.
Decorative cosmetics
The invention of silicone has become a real revolution for a large number of makeup products, such as blush, eye shadow, lipstick and liquid liners for the eyes. The presence of the component helps not to spread and not to be lubricated; comfortable sensations on the skin are also provided.
Due to the presence of cyclopentasiloxane in cosmetics, it turns out to be more malleable to application and maintains a radiant and moisturized look on the face. Liquid products without its use would not exist at all, since they could not remain on the face in a wet state, would quickly dry out and not fill in irregularities and wrinkles.
Thanks to silicones, the waterproofness of all makeup elements increases. This is required for sunscreens and tonal substrates, loose products, powders and highlighters. They also help prevent makeup from getting on clothes. Lasting lipstick simply would not exist if not for such fillers. They perfectly provide saturation of color pigments.
Skin care
Cyclopentasiloxane in cream is a real revolution, as it is used for innovative products. This technology allows you to hide signs of wilting, smooth out wrinkles and fill wrinkles. All cosmetics are very economical and have a smooth and delicate structure. They do not have a care effect, such mousses work as corrective. After washing, the skin takes its former form.
Hair Products
The presence of cyclopentasiloxane in cosmetics must be indicated in the list of ingredients. It is contained in a large number of modern shampoos, conditioners and styling products. For curls, the polymer does a tremendous job - it closes the cracks, heals a little and returns them to a good structure. Due to the use of such products, the hair becomes docile and more resilient, as well as spoiled strands, water resistance is returned and new damage is prevented.
Cyclopentasiloxane in cosmetics facilitates combing both dry and wet, which reduces the likelihood of cross-section and brittleness. And also it protects from temperature overload at the time of use of the hair dryer. The type and quality of silicone directly depends on its formula. For example, for moisturizing conditioners and shampoos, a light version is used, and for thick curls - more complex components.
How to wash silicone from a hairstyle?
It should be noted that not all funds are easily removed from the hair. Least of all problems happens with volatile and water-soluble substances, such as cyclopentasiloxane in cosmetics. The harm that they can cause to curls is not very noticeable, since it is almost completely removed after washing off with water.
Lipophilic (oil) and high polymer silicones are very resistant. In order to remove residual substances from the hair, you need to use shampoos, which contain anionic surfactants (surfactants).
Such a composition can be found in ordinary alkaline soap:
- dressing;
- children’s;
- the bath.
Some compounds are easily washed off with a regular shampoo. In order to remove high polymer polymers, you will need special deep-cleansing cosmetics.
How to mitigate the negative effects of cyclopentasiloxane in cosmetics
Harm from products that have this component in their composition can be noticed quite quickly if they are constantly used without interruption. But if you can’t take a break, you need to at least ensure proper care, especially for hair.
Professionals recommend following certain rules.
- Styling products must be washed off your head. Most often, an ordinary shampoo should cope with this.
- The balm should not be applied to the basal area and skin, as the substances contained in it block the flow of nutrients and oxygen.
- Leave-in sprays are preferably used only when necessary. Such protection is applied during heat, frosts and visits to pools. To remove, it is necessary to have special shampoos in the arsenal.
- Conditioners for colored hair contain resistant silicones in their composition, they help to retain color perfectly, their use is recommended as little as possible.
- If possible, it is better to reduce the intake of such hygiene products, as curls can get used to them. The best option is to use only a few times in 10 days. And also it is necessary to provide a head of rest for restoration and strengthening.
Alternative
Despite the fact that silicone is of natural origin, the final product is not natural, as it undergoes significant chemical treatment before using it as a cosmetic component. Brands that refuse to introduce this polymer have found it an excellent alternative. Most often, eco-companies use vegetable waxes and oils of organic origin only.