Cosmetic Ingredients: Is Cyclopentasiloxane Safe?

Cosmetic ingredients with difficult names

When you find a cosmetic product that catches your eye, do you ever check the ingredients list just like you would with food to see if it's safe to use?

We want to choose safer and more reliable cosmetics, but many people give up because the long list of names written in katakana gives them a headache.

"Cyclopentasan" is one of them. In this article, we will explain in detail about the ingredient cyclopentasiloxane. From now on, you will no longer be confused even if you see this ingredient name written in katakana.

What is Cyclopentasiloxane?

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone. It is colorless and odorless. It is not sticky and feels as light as water when applied. It does not leave a white cast and adheres well even when applied thinly.
It is not absorbed through the skin, is non-irritating, and evaporates quickly, leaving a silky, smooth feel.

It has many excellent features that make cosmetics feel great when used, which is why cyclopentasiloxane is used in many cosmetics, such as the following:

• Sunscreen
• Antiperspirants and deodorants
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Waterproof Mascara
• Foundation
• Eyeliner
• Concealer
• Eyeshadow
• Hairspray/styling gel
• lipstick

Cyclopentasiloxane is also used in hair care products

As mentioned above, cyclopentasiloxane is also sometimes used in hair care products because it repels water and provides slippery properties, creating a protective barrier on hair.
This protective barrier leaves hair smooth and easy to run your fingers through, while also reducing breakage and frizz.

Why is cyclopentasiloxane disliked despite its excellent properties?

Cyclopentasiloxane has excellent functionality as an ingredient in cosmetics and skin care products, but its use is actually restricted in Europe.
As of January 2020, it is no longer possible to use more than 0.1% of this compound in wash-off cosmetic products such as shampoos.

Why is that?

The reason is the negative impact on the environment.
There is a risk that cyclopentasiloxane may accumulate in water after use and may be toxic to fish and wildlife.

Safety assessments vary by country and organization

The environmental impact of cyclopentasiloxane has been the subject of repeated debate for many years, and currently assessments vary between countries, regions, and organizations.

For example, Canada initially expressed concern that cyclopentasiloxane might be harmful to the environment, but later concluded that the impact of cyclopentasiloxane on the environment and human health is low.

Meanwhile, Germany presented the EU with a proposal to classify cyclopentasiloxane as a "substance of high concern for the environment and human body" in 2018. If this proposal is accepted by the EU, there is a possibility that the current restrictions on its use in shampoos and other products, which are limited to 0.1%, may change.

Additionally, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has indicated plans to apply restrictions on the concentration of cyclopentasiloxane in leave-on cosmetic products, such as moisturizing creams and makeup products.

It is unusual to see such a wide range of evaluations and responses to the same cosmetic ingredient. This may be because the impact of cyclopentasiloxane on the environment is not so clear.

Isn't it good for your skin?

As mentioned at the beginning, cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone . Like many other silicone ingredients, it is not very irritating to the skin and is not considered to be a skin sensitizer.

However, silicone has the property of repelling both water and oil. Therefore, it may not be possible to remove it completely with normal cleansing. Washing too much or leaving some residue on the skin may cause skin problems such as acne and dryness.

What are the effects on the human body?

Cyclopentasiloxane is sometimes said to be an endocrine disruptor , meaning it may disrupt the normal functioning of hormones.

In fact, more detailed testing is pending in Europe, but a 2012 study published in the International Journal of Toxicology found that cyclopentasiloxane is not absorbed through the skin.

In order for a substance to have a hormonal effect, it must enter the body. In other words, if the substance cannot enter the body, there is no need to worry about hormonal effects.
However, this is only the case for typical blend concentrations. If blended in high concentrations, the risk may be higher.

summary

Cyclopentasiloxane is inexpensive, poses little risk to the skin, and has many functions that make cosmetics more comfortable to use, so it has been used in many cosmetics.

However, opinions are divided worldwide about its impact on the environment, and nothing is certain. If you want to make choices that are kind to the earth and living things, you might want to choose cosmetics that do not use this ingredient.