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Ingredient deep-dive

Cyclomethicone / Cyclopentasiloxane: Is It a Microplastic?

Medium concernSilicone

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

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Cyclomethicone / Cyclopentasiloxane, common questions

Is Cyclomethicone / Cyclopentasiloxane a microplastic?

Yes: it is classified as a synthetic polymer. Cyclic siloxanes. D4 and D5 variants are EU-restricted in rinse-off products.

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Dimethicone

Silicone · Medium concern

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Trimethicone / Phenyl Trimethicone

Silicone · Low concern

Silicone polymer variant used for slip and shine.

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Polysilicone-X

Silicone · Medium concern

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

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Dimethicone Crosspolymer

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Cross-linked silicone elastomer that creates the soft, blurring "slip" in primers and pore-fillers. A synthetic polymer network rather than a solid bead, but classed with the siloxanes the EU is tightening.

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