Ingredient deep-dive

Caprylyl Methicone: Is It a Microplastic?

Low concernSilicone

Lightweight silicone often used as a replacement for the restricted cyclic siloxanes. Siloxane, not a microplastic.

Where it appears

Primers
Lightweight moisturisers
Sunscreen texture
Hair serums

Regulatory status (2026)

European Union

Permitted; a common D5 substitute.

United States

No federal restriction.

Cleaner alternatives

Squalane
Coco-caprylate
Isoamyl laurate

Use the app

Scan any product for Caprylyl Methicone in 5 seconds

The MicroPlastics iOS app flags this ingredient and 24 others instantly. Paste a label into the free web ingredient checker first if you want a no-install scan.

Download on the App Store

Caprylyl Methicone, common questions

Is Caprylyl Methicone a microplastic?

Borderline. Lightweight silicone often used as a replacement for the restricted cyclic siloxanes. Siloxane, not a microplastic.

Is Caprylyl Methicone banned?

EU: Permitted; a common D5 substitute. US: No federal restriction.

What can I use instead of Caprylyl Methicone?

Cleaner alternatives include: Squalane; Coco-caprylate; Isoamyl laurate.

What products contain Caprylyl Methicone?

Commonly found in: Primers; Lightweight moisturisers; Sunscreen texture; Hair serums.

Related ingredients

Dimethicone

Silicone · Medium concern

Silicone polymer (polydimethylsiloxane). Not the same as solid microplastic but classed as a synthetic polymer; EU is consulting on tighter limits.

Cyclomethicone / Cyclopentasiloxane

Silicone · Medium concern

Cyclic siloxanes. D4 and D5 variants are EU-restricted in rinse-off products.

Trimethicone / Phenyl Trimethicone

Silicone · Low concern

Silicone polymer variant used for slip and shine.

Polysilicone-X

Silicone · Medium concern

Synthetic silicone polymer family used as film-formers in long-wear makeup.