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Cyclomethicone

What Cyclomethicone is & what it does

A volatile silicone blend that gives a fast, silky slip and dry finish before evaporating. It helps a formula spread evenly and feel light.

What is Cyclomethicone and what does it do in sunscreen?

Cyclomethicone is a volatile silicone blend that gives a formula a fast, silky slip and a dry, light finish, then evaporates off the skin. It helps a sunscreen spread evenly and feel weightless rather than greasy. Because it flashes off, it leaves behind a smooth surface without a heavy residue.

Is Cyclomethicone safe?

Yes. Cyclomethicone is a widely used, well-tolerated silicone that sits on the surface of skin and then evaporates, so it is not absorbed in any meaningful way. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing for the vast majority of people, which is why it is so common in sunscreens and makeup.

Does Cyclomethicone clog pores?

No. Cyclomethicone is a volatile silicone that evaporates rather than sitting on skin as a heavy film, so it is considered non-comedogenic. It is one of the lighter-feeling ingredients in a formula and is an unlikely cause of clogged pores.

Is Cyclomethicone a silicone?

Yes, it is a silicone, specifically a volatile (cyclic) one that evaporates after application. That is what sets it apart from a non-volatile silicone like dimethicone, which stays on the skin as a smoothing film. Cyclomethicone is there for slip and easy spreading during application, then it leaves.

Is Cyclomethicone natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic. Cyclomethicone is a lab-made silicone valued for its light, fast-evaporating slip, and it is not found in nature. Synthetic here simply describes how it is made, not a safety problem.

Sunscreens with Cyclomethicone

We rate 283 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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