Common Name(s): Ppg-4 oleth-10 dimethicone,specialty silicone,si-o backbone conditioning polymer
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides silicone-characteristic smooth skin feel, water-repellent conditioning, and heat protection from the si-o backbone's physicochemistry โ performance profile fundamentally different from and complementary to organic emollients.
Why It's Used: Si-o bond properties (low rotational barrier 0.6 kcal/mol, surface energy 20 mn/m, thermal stability to 200c) provide a performance space unavailable from organic emollients: simultaneously smooth, dry-feeling, heat-stable, and chemically inert.
How It Works: Si-o bond flexibility (bond angle 150 degrees, low rotational barrier) allows silicone chains to flatten against any surface topology maximising contact area. methyl group surface energy (20 mn/m) provides dry non-tacky character. functional modifications (peg for water solubility, phenyl for refractive index, amine for hair substantivity, crosslinks for elastomeric bounce) extend performance scope.
Typically Found In: Skin care,hair care,colour cosmetics,thermal protection
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ25%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Silicone selection guide: volatile cyclics (d4-d5) for dry carrier; fluid pdms for glide; crosslinked elastomers for velvet skin feel; amino-functional for hair conditioning substantivity; peg-modified for water compatibility. each architecture delivers a distinctly different performance profile.
Last Verified: Cosing database,ppg-4 oleth-10 dimethicone specialty silicone review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12