Research Summary
Silicone polymers have become increasingly important as ingredients in skin care products, with the trend accelerating over the last decade. While silicone compounds have existed since the 1860s, their increasing popularity in recent years is largely due to a better understanding of their unique functions.
This enhanced understanding of the properties of silicone, combined with the growing ability of silicone chemists to modify these compounds, has led to more effective utilization of silicone materials in skin care formulations. Silicone polymers contribute to formulations by introducing a phase that is soluble neither in oil nor in water.
These third-phase ingredients, when properly selected, can provide formulations with properties such as surface-tension reduction, wetting, and emulsification.
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