Dimethiconol Meadowfoamate

What Is It?

Dimethiconol is a silicone based polymer that resembles Dimethicone, except that molecules of Dimethiconol end with hydroxyl (-OH) groups. Dimethiconol derivatives that may be also be used in cosmetic products include Dimethiconol Arginine, Dimethiconol Beeswax, Dimethiconol Behenate, Dimethiconol Cysteine, Dimethiconol Meadowfoamate, Dimethiconol Methionine, Dimethiconol Panthenol, Dimethiconol Stearate, Dimethiconol/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer and Acrylates/Dimethiconol Acrylate Copolymer.

In cosmetics and personal care products, Dimethiconol and its derivatives are used in the formulation of a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products including cosmetic creams and lotions, suntan products, bath soaps, lipstick, shampoo and hair care products. The most widely used ingredient in this group is Dimethiconol.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

The following functions have been reported for these ingredients.

Antifoaming agent -- Dimethiconol

Antistatic agent -- Dimethiconol/Silsesquioxane Copolymer

Film former - Dimethiconol/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethiconol Acrylate Copolymer

Hair conditioning agents -- Dimethiconol Arginine, Dimethiconol Cysteine, Dimethiconol Methionine, Dimethiconol Panthenol, Dimethiconol/Silsesquioxane Copolymer

Hair fixative - Dimethiconol/Silsesquioxane Copolymer

Skin-conditioning agent -- emollient -- Dimethiconol, Dimethiconol Meadowfoamate

Skin-conditioning agent -- miscellaneous - Dimethiconol/Silsesquioxane Copolymer

Skin-conditioning agent -- occlusive -- Dimethiconol Beeswax, Dimethiconol Behenate, Dimethiconol Stearate

Viscosity increasing agent -- nonaqueous - Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer

Scientific Facts:

Silicon, the backbone of Dimethiconol, is a common element in the earth. Silicon, like carbon can form polymers, consisting of chains of silicon atoms. Polymers of silicon with oxygen, hydrogen and carbon are called silicones. Dimethiconol is a mixture of siloxane polymers referred to as polydimethylsiloxane terminated with hydroxyl (-OH) groups. Dimethiconol can be combined with other molecules, such as the amino acids (arginine, cysteine and methionine) or fatty acids (behenic acid, stearic fatty acids from meadowfoam seed oil) or other compounds to form derivatives of Dimethiconol that are useful as cosmetic ingredients.