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Cyclohexasiloxane

What Cyclohexasiloxane is & what it does

A volatile silicone that adds a light, silky glide and then flashes off, leaving a smooth feel. It improves spread and reduces tackiness.

What is Cyclohexasiloxane and what does it do in sunscreen?

Cyclohexasiloxane is a volatile silicone, sometimes written D6. It gives a sunscreen a light, silky glide on application and then evaporates, leaving a smooth, non-greasy finish. It also helps the product spread evenly and cuts down on tackiness.

Is Cyclohexasiloxane safe?

Yes, it is a widely used silicone considered safe in cosmetics at the levels found in sunscreen. Because it evaporates off the skin rather than sinking in, skin exposure is brief. Volatile silicones have drawn some environmental questions, but for skin use they are well tolerated and non-irritating for most people.

Does Cyclohexasiloxane clog pores?

Generally no. It is a lightweight, volatile silicone that flashes off the skin instead of building up, so it is regarded as non-comedogenic. Silicones in general have a low pore-clogging risk, and this one leaves little behind at all.

Is Cyclohexasiloxane a silicone?

Yes. It belongs to the cyclic silicone family, the volatile type designed to evaporate after giving that initial smooth slip. If you prefer silicone-free products, this is one of the ingredients to look out for on the label.

Is Cyclohexasiloxane natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic. Silicones are made in a lab from silicon, which is sourced from sand, so the raw material is mineral but the finished ingredient does not occur in nature. That is normal for silicones and not a safety issue in itself.

Sunscreens with Cyclohexasiloxane

We rate 597 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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