Hair Care
Maintain, protect and restore beautiful hair with silicones
Silicones, the superior performance ingredients for haircare products
Consumers around the world desire haircare products specific to their needs. A wide variety of hair types is must be treated, taking into account different levels and types of damage caused by environmental factors and different types of chemical treatment (coloration, perm, and straightening), 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 viscosity 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 nonvolatile, silicone to naturally derived organic carrier
- Silicone resin film formers in volatile and nonvolatile 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 |
|||
Viscosity at 25 °C (mm2/s) |
Specific Gravity at 25 °C |
Refractive index at 25 °C |
Flash Point (°C) | ||||
CM5 | 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% in Mirasil™ CM5HP / Mirasil™ CM5L |
1-50% |
CM5 HP / CM5 L | Cyclopentasiloxane | 3.9 | 0.95 | 1 395 | 80 | ||
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, D6, D6 contents <0.1% each |
0.5-50% |
Dimethicones
Product name MIRASIL™ |
INCI name | Typical physical properties | Key Features and Benefits | Typical Use Level | |||
Viscosity at 25ºC (mPa.s) |
Specific Gravity at 25ºC |
Refractive index at 25ºC |
Flash Point (ºC) | ||||
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, D6, D6 contents <0.1% each |
0.1-5% |
DM 10 | Dimethicone | 10 | 0.93 | 1 399 | > 180 | ||
DM 350 | Dimethicone | 350 | 0.97 | 1 403 | 300 | ||
DM 1000 | Dimethicone | 1000 | 0.97 | 1 403 | 300 | ||
DM 60000 | Dimethicone | 60 000 | 0.96 | 1 401 | 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 | Dimethicone | 300 000 | 0.96 | 1 402 | 300 |
Gum Blends
Product name MIRASIL™ |
INCI name | Typical physical properties | Key Features and Benefits | Typical Use Level |
||
Active content (%) |
Carrier | Viscosity (mPa.s) |
||||
Si Gum in volatile carrier | ||||||
C-DM | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone | 30 | Cyclopentasiloxane | 3 500 | • 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 | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone | 15 | Cyclopentasiloxane | 6 000 | 0.5-10% | |
C-DM 2022* | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone | 15 | Cyclopentasiloxane | 6 000 | 0.5-10% | |
C-DML | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethiconol | 15 | Cyclopentasiloxane | 6 000 | 0.5-10% | |
C-DML LV | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethiconol | 11 | Cyclopentasiloxane | 1 500 | 0.5-10% | |
C-DML MV | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethiconol | 12 | Cyclopentasiloxane | 2 300 | 0.5-10% | |
C-DML HV | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethiconol | 16 | Cyclopentasiloxane | 7 000 | 0.5-10% | |
C-DML 1022* | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethiconol | 15 | Cyclopentasiloxane | 6500 | 0.5-10% | |
C-DML 1022 HV* | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethiconol | 18 | Cyclopentasiloxane | 9000 | 0.5-10% | |
Si Gum in non-volatile carrier | ||||||
D-DMB | Dimethicone | 15 | Dimethicone | 3 300 | • 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 | 4 500 | 0.5-10% | |
D-DML LV | Dimethicone (and) Dimethiconol | 12 | Dimethicone | 1 500 | 0.5-10% | |
D-DML MV | Dimethicone (and) Dimethiconol | 20 | Dimethicone | 10 500 | 0.5-10% | |
D-DML HV | Dimethicone (and) Dimethiconol | 16 | Dimethicone | 8 500 | 0.5-10% | |
D-DML 1032* | Dimethicone (and) Dimethiconol | 16 | Dimethicone | 4 800 | 0.5-10% |
SF Phenyl Si
Product name MIRASIL™ |
INCI name | Typical physical properties | Key Features and Benefits | Use level | |||
Phenyl Si gum content (%) |
Carrier | Viscosity (mPa.s) |
Refractive Index at 25ºC |
||||
Phenyl Si Fluid | |||||||
PTM | Phenyl Trimethicone | 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 | ||
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 | ||
Specific gravity at 25ºC |
Refractive Index at 25ºC |
Viscosity (mPa.s) |
||||
Amino Silicones | ||||||
ADM 403 | Amodimethicone | 0,975 | 1,407 | 300 | • 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 | 0,975 | 1,407 | 1100 | ||
ADME-NP | Amodimethicone (and) Trideceth-6 | 0,995 | - | <2000 | 2-10% | |
AT1801* | Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone | - | 1,404 | 19000 | 0.5-5% | |
ADM 8010 | Amodimethicone | - | - | 1500 | ||
ADM 4003 | Amodimethicone | - | - | 500 | ||
Siliconce HALS | ||||||
ADMH 395 | Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone | 0,975 | 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 | Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone | 0,975 | 1,407 | 90 000 | ||
ADMH 403 | Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone | 0,975 | 1,408 | 250 | ||
ADMH B 100 | C15-19 alkane (and) Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone |
0,883 | 1,428 | 2000 | 0.5-10% | |
ADMH-E125 | Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone (and) Trideceth-6 | 0,995 | - | <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 | 0,902 | 1,434 | 230 | • 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 | - | - | 250 (40°C) | 1-5% |
Si Copolyols & Emulsifier
Product name MIRASIL™ |
INCI name | Typical physical properties | Key Features and Benefits | Typical Use Level | ||
Active Content (%) | HLB (calculated) | Viscosity (mPa.s) |
||||
Dimethicone Copolyols | ||||||
DMCO | PEG/PPG 22/24 Dimethicone | 100 | 13 | 1 800 | • Foam booster and stabilizer • Light conditioning for water base hair care • Water soluble |
0.5-2% |
PEG-12 DM | PEG-12 Dimethicone | 100 | 14 | 200 - 800 | 0.5-2% | |
Emulsifiers | ||||||
C-DMP | Cyclopentasiloxane (and) PEG/PPG 18/18 Dimethicone | 11 | 2 | < 100 | • Emulsifier for water-in-silicone emulsions • Versitle 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 | 1 100 | • 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 | |||
Carrier | Viscosity (mPa.s) |
Resin content (%) |
Refractive Index at 25ºC |
||||
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% | |
MIRASILTM MSR 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 | |
silicone% | Viscosity (mPa.s) |
||||
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% |