Despite the increasing usage of silicone polymers in personal care products, the selection of the proper polymer for a particular application remains somewhat elusive. This directly results in inefficiency of formula development.
This problem is exacerbated by the reliance upon INCI names in selection of compounds. While helpful in placing polymers in a generic class, it is of limited help in optimising formulation efficiency. Compounds that are water insoluble, water dispersible or water insoluble can all share a common INCI name. Likewise polymers that provide wetting, emulsification, or conditioning can share a common INCI name. This article is intended to clarify selection of products for formulation.
PEG/PPG dimethicone compounds should be used in instances where they provide benefits that cannot be obtained by organic compounds. These properties include:
• Lowering of surface tension (into the range of 25 dynes/cm).
• Provide unique skin feel.
• Provide unique emulsification properties (especially in invert emulsions).
• Provide film formation.
• Provide foaming of non-traditional formulations.
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