Shin-Etsu Silicones of America (SESA) has introduced microplastic-free alternatives for cosmetics, emphasizing soft-focus effects, powdery sensations and thickening properties. Here's a summary of the ingredients and their benefits:
- KSG-16-SF (INCI: Dimethicone (&) Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer): Provides maximum soft-focus and line-blurring effects for hiding wrinkles, while delivering a silky skin feel and serving as a thickening agent. Ideal for primers and compatible with silicones.
- KSG-19-PF (INCI: Dimethicone (&) Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer): Creates a powdery skin sensation and matte finish to reduce shine. Acts as a thickening agent and works well in skin-care and makeup formulations.
- KM-116 (INCI: Dimethicone (&) Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer): A concentrated silicone elastomer gel emulsion that imparts a soft, silky, and velvety feel to the skin. Reduces stickiness and works well in water-based or O/W formulations.
- KSG-19 (INCI: Dimethicone & Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer): Lightweight elastomer gel offering a silky powdery sensation, matte effect, and thickening properties. Suitable for achieving unique textures without heaviness.
- KSG-45 (INCI: Coco-Caprylate/Caprate (&) Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer): An alkyl-modified silicone elastomer gel swollen with plant-based oil, enhancing powdery feel, thickening, and mattifying effects. Compatible with silicones, organic oils, and esters, making it ideal for highly organic systems.
These ingredients are designed to replace traditional microplastics, while maintaining aesthetic, sensory and functional qualities in cosmetic formulations.
According to SESA’s cosmetics application laboratory team leader, Janine Cherette, “All of the materials demonstrate high optical blurring with nice sensorial texture and oil thickening benefits. Used in a wide range of cosmetics formulations, they continue our effort to provide silicone options addressing the consumers needs for aesthetically pleasing performance based products.”
SESA’s North America marketing manager, Eric Bishop, added, “The range of soft-focus formulations mixture possibilities are vast for formulators to choose from to achieve their desired skin-friendly results. The interactive texture bar succeeded in attracting significant interest from the world-wide visitors at the event−with our soft-focus microplastic alternatives as a focal point.”
