Silicones: the superior performance ingredients for haircare products

Consumers around the world desire haircare products specific to their needs. Brands need to take into account a wide variety of hair types, different levels and types of damage caused by chemical treatments (e.g., coloration, perm, straightening), environmental factors, daily grooming and heat styling.

Formulators are challenged with creating products that improve hair manageability, impart shine, control volume and protect against damage.

Silicones are inherently low in surface energy, high in gas permeability (breathability), and excellent in heat stability. Consequently, silicones are superior to many carbon-based materials in reducing inter-fiber friction, increase softness, impart hydrophobicity (water repellency) and all the attributes of healthy and undamaged hair.

Silicones have been widely used in haircare products since the 1970s. They enhance performance in numerous products such as shampoos (standard and sulfate-free), rinse-off and leave-on conditioners, hair masks, hair oils, frizz control serums, shine sprays, pomade and many more. The range of benefits silicones bring to haircare is vast: ease of detangling, smoothness, shine, frizz control, thermal protection, UV and color protection, damage repair and reduced drying time.

Our product offering

Elkem Silicones offers a wide range of silicone technologies to help formulators meet market needs and trends. Our range includes:

Dimethicone fluids with viscosities from 2cst to 500,000 cst, volatile to non-volatile
Gum blends with volatile or non-volatile silicone carriers
Emulsions of amino functional silicones, dimethicones
Phenyl modified silicones: phenyl trimethicone, diphenyl dimethicone, etc.
Specialty silicones: amino functional silicones, alkyl functional silicones
Silicone emulsifiers: water in silicone emulsifier, water in silicone and oil emulsifier, etc.
Silicone elastomer gels in a range of carrier fluids, volatile to non-volatile, silicone to naturally derived organic carrier
Silicone resin film formers in volatile and non-volatile carriers.

Why partner with Elkem Silicones in hair care?

In addition to our current offering, we continue to launch new products to support customers in innovation and improve on sustainability. Our knowledgeable staff and state-of-the-art application labs can assist you in creating your next innovative formulations.

Check out our haircare selector guide and contact our experts and distribution partners in your area for more information.

Hair Care selector guide

Volatile Silicones

Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Typical physical properties				Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Viscosity at 25 °C (mm²/s)	Specific Gravity at 25 °C	Refractive index at 25 °C	Flash Point (°C)	Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
CM5 HP	Cyclopentasiloxane	3.9	0.95	1,395	80	Highly volatile carriers Non-VOC cosmetic carrier Broad compatibility with cosmetic ingredients for ease of use Transient conditioning Detangling for ease of wet combing Extra light feel on hair D4 content <0.1%	1-50%
DM2	Dimethicone	2.0	0.87	1,391	85	Low viscosity linear methylated siloxane Non-VOC cosmetic carrier Broad compatibility with cosmetic ingredients for ease of use Transient conditioning Detangling for ease of combing Light and non-greasy feel on hair Smooth and soft to the touch D4, D5, D6 contents <0.1% each	0.5-50%

Dimethicones

Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Typical physical properties				Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Viscosity at 25ºC (mPa.s)	Specific Gravity at 25ºC	Refractive index at 25ºC	Flash Point (ºC)	Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
DM 5	Dimethicone	5	0.92	1,396	130	Low to medium viscosity linear methylated siloxane High spreading cosmetic carrier Detangling for ease of combing Light and non-greasy feel on hair Extended smooth and soft to the touch D4, D5, D6 contents <0.1% each	0.1-5%
DM 10		10	0.93	1,398	> 180
DM 350		350	0.97	1,403	300
DM 1000		1000	0.97	1,403	300
DM 60000		60 000	0.96	1,404	300	Excellent detangling for ease of combing Durable smooth and soft to the touch Shine High substantivity useful for both leave on and rinse off products	0.1-5%
DM 300 000		300 000	0.96	1,404	300		0.1-5%

Gum Blends

Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Typical physical properties			Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Active content (%)	Carrier	Viscosity (mPa.s)	Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
Si Gum in volatile carrier
C-DM	Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone	30	Cyclopentasiloxane	3000	Excellent detangling for ease of combing Durable smooth and soft to the touch High shine Hair repair Excellent slip Intensive hair treatments at low dose	0.5-10%
C-DMB		15	Cyclopentasiloxane	6000		0.5-10%
C-DM 2022*		15	Cyclopentasiloxane	6000		0.5-10%
C-DML		15	Cyclopentasiloxane	6000		0.5-10%
C-DML LV		11	Cyclopentasiloxane	1750		0.5-10%
C-DML MV		12	Cyclopentasiloxane	2500		0.5-10%
C-DML HV		16	Cyclopentasiloxane	7000		0.5-10%
C-DML 1022*		15	Cyclopentasiloxane	6500		0.5-10%
C-DML 1022 HV*		18	Cyclopentasiloxane	9000		0.5-10%
Si Gum in non-volatile carrier
D-DMB	Dimethicone	15	Dimethicone	3300	• Excellent detangling for ease of combing • Durable smooth and soft to the touch • High shine • Hair repair • Excellent slip and softness • Ease of hair manageability • Intensive hair treatments at low dose • Options for non-cyclomethicone carrier	0.5-10%
D-DML	Dimethicone (and) Dimethiconol	12	Dimethicone	4500		0.5-10%
D-DML LV		12	Dimethicone	1500		0.5-10%
D-DML MV		20	Dimethicone	10 500		0.5-10%
D-DML HV		16	Dimethicone	8500		0.5-10%
D-DML 1032*		16	Dimethicone	4800		0.5-10%

* Only available in Asia Pacific region

SF Phenyl Si

Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Typical physical properties				Key Features and Benefits	Use level
Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Phenyl Si gum content (%)	Carrier	Viscosity (mPa.s)	Refractive Index at 25ºC	Key Features and Benefits	Use level
Phenyl Si Fluid
PTM	Phenyl Trimethicone	None	None	22	1 459	• Broad compatibility with organic ingredients • High shine • Smooth, light and non-greasy feel • Reduce tackiness in sunscreens	0,5% to 10%
Phenyl Si Gum Blends
P-DPDM	Phenyl Trimethicone (and) Diphenyl Dimethicone	15	Phenyl Trimethicone	12 500	1 454	• Long lasting shine • Excellent slip • Durable lubricious and soft sensory feel	2% to 10%
C-DPDM	Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Diphenyl Dimethicone	15	Cyclopentasiloxane	2 000	1 404		2% to 10%
BRIGHT	C15-19 Alkane (and) Diphenyl Dimethicone	20	C15-19 Alkane	1 500	1 444	• Durable dry silky and slipery feel • Long lasting shine	0,5% to 5%
SERUM	Cyclopentasiloxane (and) C15-19 Alkane (and) Dimethiconol (and) Diphenyl Dimethicone (and) Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone	18	Cyclopentasiloxane and C15-19 Alkane	800	1 410	• A unique serum optimized for multifuctional benefits and ease of formulation • Impart smooth, softness, lubricity and shine • Help dispersing physical sunscreen	5% to 25%

SF Amino HALS Alkyl Si

Product MIRASIL™	INCI name	Typical physical properties			Functions / Benefits	Typical Use Level
Product MIRASIL™	INCI name	Specific gravity at 25ºC	Refractive Index at 25ºC	Viscosity (mPa.s)	Functions / Benefits	Typical Use Level
Amino Functional Silicones
ADM 403	Amodimethicone	0,98	1,408	325	Excellent color retention Thermal protection Soft and light feel to touch Intensive treatments for damaged hair Long-lasting conditioning	0.5-5%
ADM 211	Amodimethicone	0,98	1,407	1100		0.5-5%
ADME-NP	Amodimethicone (and) Trideceth-6	1,00	-	<2000		2-10%
AT1801*	Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone	-	1,404	19 000		0.5-5%
ADM 8010*	Amodimethicone	-	-	1100
ADM 4003*	Amodimethicone	-	-	500
Siliconce HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilize)
ADMH 395	Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone	0,98	1,407	10 000	Differentiated amino silicones technology Excellent color retention Thermal protection Soft and light feel to touch Intensive treatments for damaged hair Excellent detangling for ease of combing Non-yellowing resulting in no color shift of the formulations	0.5-5%
ADMH 3900		0,98	1,407	90 000
ADMH 403		0,98	1,408	250
ADMH B 100	C15-19 Alkane (and) Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone	0,88	1,428	2000		0.5-10%
ADMH-E125	Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone (and) Trideceth-6	1,00	-	<2000		2-10%
Alkyl Functional Silciones
CAPRYLYL TSO	Caprylyl Methicone	0,84	1,413	4 mm²/s	Moderate volatility Spreading for vegetable oils Light feel to touch Moderate slip	1-10%
CETYL DM	Cetyl Dimethicone	0,90	1,434	280	Broad compatibility with cosmetic ingredients for ease of use Excellent detangling for ease of combing Smoothening effect Shine Slip	1-10%
STEARYL DM	Stearyl Dimethicone	-	-	150 (40°C)		1-5%

* Only available in Asia Pacific region

Si Copolyols & Emulsifier

Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Typical physical properties				Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Active Content (%)	HLB (calculated)	Viscosity (mPa.s)	Refractive Index at 25ºC	Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
Dimethicone Copolyols
DMCO	PEG/PPG 22/24 Dimethicone	100	13	1800	1,446	Foam booster and stabilizer Light conditioning for water base hair care Water soluble	0.5-2%
PEG-12 DM	PEG-12 Dimethicone	100	14	500	1,457		0.5-2%
Emulsifiers
C-DMP	Cyclopentasiloxane (and) PEG/PPG 18/18 Dimethicone	11	2	< 100	1,397	Emulsifier for water-in-silicone emulsions Versatile formulation aid for leave in hair products Capable of creating medium to high consistency formulation textures Cold process	6% to 24%
BALANCE	Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone	100	3	1100	1,436	Emulsifier for water-in-silicone+oil and water-in-oil emulsions Stable formulations using very few ingredients Cold process Differentiated textures from light to high viscosity	1% to 3%

Silicone Resins

Product name	INCI name	Typical physical properties				Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
Product name	INCI name	Carrier	Viscosity (mPa.s)	Resin content (%)	Refractive Index at 25ºC	Key Features and Benefits	Typical Use Level
PURESIL™ TMS DM 30	Dimethicone (and) Trimethylsiloxysilicate	Non volatile dimethicone	400 - 1 000	33	1.4065 - 1.4085	Film formation capability Color retention	1-10%
PURESIL™ TMS IDD 50	Trimethylsiloxysilicate (and) Isododecane	Isododecane	<50	50	1.4160 - 1.4200		1-5%
Mirasil^TMMSR 88*	Trimethylsiloxysilicate	None	White powder	100%	—		0.5-3%

* Only avaialble in Asia Pacific region

Asia Pacific Emulsion Products (*offering only available in Asia Pacific region)

Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	Typical physical properties		Functions / Benefits	Typical Use Level
Product name MIRASIL™	INCI name	silicone%	Viscosity (mPa.s)	Functions / Benefits	Typical Use Level
Dimethicone Emulsions
Emul 6518	Dimethicone (and) Cocamidopropyl Betaine (and) C12-13 Pareth-3 (and) Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride	65	10000	Ease of wet and dry combing Thermal protection Soft and slick feel Intensive treatments for damaged hair Application: shampoo and conditioner	2- 5%
Emul 6516	Dimethicone (and) Laureth-4 (and) Laureth-23	60	7000		2- 5%
Emul 6550	Dimethiconol (and) Trideceth-12 (and) TEA-dodecylbenzenesulfonate	50	<1000		0.5- 5%
Emul 6520	Dimethiconol (and) Trideceth-3 (and) Trideceth-20	60	<1000		0.5- 5%
Emul 6788	Dimethicone (and) Amodimethicone(and)Laureth-4(and)Laureth-23(and)Polyquaternium-10	60	25000		0.5- 5%
Emul 6833	Dimethicone (and) Trideceth-6(and)Coco-Glucoside	60	10000		0.5- 5%
Amino Emulsions
Emul 6905	Amodimethicone (and) Trideceth-6	35	-	Differentiated amino silicones technology Thermal protection Softer feel to touch Intensive treatments for damaged hair Excellent conditioning Excellent detangling for ease of combing	0.5- 5%
Emul 6970	Dimethiconol/Aminopropyl Silsesquioxane Copolymer (and) Trideceth-12 (and) Cetrimonium Chloride	35	-		0.5-10%
ADMH-E 236	Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone (and) Trideceth-12	36	150	Differentiated amino silicones technology Excellent color retention Thermal protection Soft and light feel to touch Low yellowing Intensive treatments for damaged hair Excellent detangling for ease of combing	1-7%