Dimethicone Crosspolymer
What Is It?
Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer are flexible silicon polymers consisting of dimethicone copolymers that are linked together (crosslinked). In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients are used in deodorants, makeup, and skin and hair care products.
Why Is It Used?
In cosmetics and personal care products, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Vinyl/Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer all function as viscosity increasing agents – nonaqueous. Dimethicone Crosspolymer also functions as a dispersing agent – nonsurfactant, an emulsion stabilizerIngredients that help to keep an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components. and a hair fixativeIngredients that help hair hold its style by inhibiting the hair?s ability to absorb moisture..
Scientific Facts
The dimethicone crosspolymer ingredients are large molecules that are not soluble in water. These ingredients are typically supplied to cosmetic product manufacturers as swollen gels.
Safety Information
The safety of Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient ReviewThe Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) was established in 1976 as an independent safety review program for cosmetic ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel consists of independent experts in dermatology, toxicology, pharmacolgy and veterinary medicine. The CIR includes participation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America. (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.
CIR Safety Review:
Based on the size of the dimethicone crosspolymer ingredients and the lack of water solubility, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that these ingredients would not penetrate the skin. Dermal irritation and sensitization studies of these ingredient did not identify any adverse effects.
Based on the available data, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Vinyl/Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer are safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products. Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Vinyl/Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European UnionUnder the general provisions of the cosmetics regulation of the EU, ingredients appearing on the following function-specific annexes must comply with the listed restrictions and/or specifications: colorants (Annex IV), preservatives (Annex V), UV filters (Annex VI) and other ingredients with specific concentration limits and/or other restrictions (Annex III). Ingredients specifically prohibited from use in cosmetic products are listed in Annex II. Other ingredients listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient database (CosIng) may be used without restrictions..
Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/documents/directive/inde…
Resources
Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm
EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/