Silicone Chemistry Alternatives for Cosmetics and Personal Care
Silicone Chemistry Alternatives for Cosmetics and Personal Care
Through the Change Chemistry Collaborative Innovation Program, chemical suppliers and cosmetic and personal care product manufacturers worked collaboratively to create a document to inform the development of green chemistry alternatives to silicone chemistry for cosmetic and personal care products.
The EU Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) Candidate List for Substances of Very High Concern list contains:
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Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4)
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Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5)
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Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)
This designation and subsequent restriction of the chemicals in wash-off products has resulted in a market need for alternatives to these widely utilized components. A survey of cosmetics and personal care product manufacturers has shown that although these manufacturers generally prioritize cyclic siloxane replacements, alternatives for all silicone chemistries were significant considerations.
Change Chemistry does not make comments on the environmental impact of D4, D5, D6, or silicones. This project addresses the market need to identify alternatives to silicone chemistries. Therefore, consistent with the mission of Change Chemistry, these alternatives were identified using the principles of green chemistry.
Learn more about the Change Chemistry’s silicone specification document with this one-page summary.
