Ingredient deep-dive
Hydrogenated Dimethicone: Is It a Microplastic?
The name Hydrogenated Dimethicone alone does not establish whether the finished product contains synthetic polymer microparticles. This entry's individual source review is pending.
Shared method updated .
What changed in this reference
Earlier pages inferred a yes/no microplastic verdict from an editorial high/medium/low grouping. Those labels were not measurements or health-risk grades. The shared answer, FAQ and regulation context now distinguish label names from physical particles. This entry’s earlier ingredient-specific claims are retained below for review, not offered as verified findings.
Earlier description awaiting individual source review
Saturated silicone wax used for structure and water resistance. Siloxane backbone, not a microplastic.
How the rules depend on the product
European Union
The EU restriction depends on polymer and particle criteria, exclusions and use. Abrasive microbeads have no transition after 17 October 2023. Otherwise, covered rinse-off cosmetics generally transition on 17 October 2027, other leave-on cosmetics on 17 October 2029, and make-up, lip and nail products on 17 October 2035. Microbeads, fragrance encapsulation and rinse-off uses have specific exceptions to those groupings. A name alone cannot establish compliance.
United States
The federal Microbead-Free Waters Act targets intentionally added solid plastic microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics for exfoliating or cleansing. It is not a blanket ban on all polymers or a product safety assessment. Other applicable rules require separate checking.
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Hydrogenated Dimethicone, common questions
Is Hydrogenated Dimethicone a microplastic?
Does a label match mean Hydrogenated Dimethicone is banned?
Can a label show the particle count or health effect?
Sources and review scope
The Commission guide establishes the shared definition and transition context; CosIng inclusion is not ingredient approval. Label rules do not provide a particle assay. The shared sources do not verify every claim in the earlier description; individual review remains pending.
Related ingredients
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Silicone
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a distinct silicone crosspolymer. Its name does not measure particles or establish the physical state or legal scope of a finished formula.
Read morePolysilicone-11
Silicone
Polysilicone-11 is a silicone crosspolymer. A gel or liquid carrier does not prove that its polymer is liquid or outside microplastics scope; the actual formulation and material criteria matter.
Read moreDimethicone
Silicone
Dimethicone is a silicone polymer, distinct from Dimethicone Crosspolymer and cyclic D4, D5 or D6. Its name alone does not establish solid polymer microparticles or the physical form of the finished product.
Read morePolyphenylsilsesquioxane
Silicone
Polyphenylsilsesquioxane is a silicone resin. The name alone cannot establish its particle form or microplastics-rule scope, and the CIR linear phenyl-methicone conclusion does not assess this resin.
Read more