Cetearyl Dimethicone
What Cetearyl Dimethicone is & what it does
Cetearyl Dimethicone is a long-chain alkyl-modified silicone, made by grafting cetearyl (C16 to C18 fatty) groups onto a dimethicone backbone. In a formula it acts mainly as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent, and it is a common stabilizer and emulsifier in water-in-silicone and water-in-oil systems, helping keep the oil and water phases blended. It leaves a smooth, silky, non-greasy slip on the skin and gives sunscreens and creams a more elegant texture. It is generally considered well tolerated and is not associated with any flagged concern here.
What is Cetearyl Dimethicone?
Cetearyl Dimethicone is a silicone modified with long cetearyl fatty chains. It is used in skincare and sunscreen as an emollient and as an emulsifier or stabilizer that helps keep oil and water phases blended.
What does Cetearyl Dimethicone do in sunscreen?
It conditions the skin and gives the product a smooth, silky, non-greasy slip. In water-in-silicone and water-in-oil sunscreens it also helps stabilize the emulsion so the formula stays uniform.
Is Cetearyl Dimethicone safe?
Cetearyl Dimethicone is generally considered well tolerated in cosmetics, and no concern is flagged for it here. As with any ingredient, individual sensitivity can vary.
Sunscreens with Cetearyl Dimethicone
We rate 4 sunscreens that contain it:
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Image Skincare Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturizer Spf 32+
75/100
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Image Prevention + Daily Ultimate Protection Spf 50
72/100
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Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Pa++++
71/100
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Image Skincare Prevention+ Daily Ultimate Protection Mosturizer Spf 50+
70/100