Common Name(s): Hydroxyethyl dimethicone laurate,hydroxyethyl dimethicone laurate,silicone laurate ester,dimethicone laurate
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Softens and conditions skin and hair with a silicone cushion feel and lipid-based nourishment. more compatible with conventional cosmetic oils than standard dimethicone.
Why It's Used: Hydroxyethyl dimethicone laurate is selected for its silicone-ester hybrid architecture — the hydroxyethyl linker increases polarity of the dimethicone backbone, enabling compatibility with polar ester solvents and oil phases that typically exclude standard dimethicone from formulation.
How It Works: Dimethicone backbone → silicone cushion, thermal stability, low surface energy; c12 laurate ester → lipid emolliency and sc affinity; hydroxyethyl linker → elevated polarity enabling compatibility with ester oils.
Typically Found In: Hair serums,skin serums,silicone-hybrid emollients
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emollient
Secondary Functions: Hair conditioning,silicone hybrid compatibility
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required
Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)
Source Notes: Synthetic (silicone-derived). laurate sourced from coconut or synthetic. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low; silicone component
Sensitivity Concerns: Generally non-sensitizing. suitable for most skin types including sensitive.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Silicones,fatty esters,hair conditioning polymers
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
The hydroxyethyl modification increases the silicone hildebrand solubility parameter from ~7.3 mpa½ (pure pdms) toward ester oil range (~8–9 mpa½), enabling blend miscibility with conventional cosmetic esters that fully exclude unmodified dimethicone.
Last Verified: 2026-03-27
Primary Sources: Cosing database,hydroxyethyl dimethicone laurate silicone-ester emollient review