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Cyclopentasiloxane

What Cyclopentasiloxane is & what it does

A volatile silicone that gives an instant silky, weightless slip then evaporates, leaving a smooth, dry finish. It helps spread filters and pigments evenly without greasiness.

What does Cyclopentasiloxane do?

Cyclopentasiloxane is a light, volatile silicone: it gives a sunscreen a silky, fast-spreading, non-greasy feel and then evaporates, leaving a smooth finish without residue. It is a big reason some formulas feel "dry-touch".

Is Cyclopentasiloxane safe?

On skin, yes. It is non-irritating and evaporates rather than absorbing. Most concerns around it are environmental (persistence), which has led some brands to reformulate, rather than a skin-safety issue.

Does Cyclopentasiloxane clog pores?

No. It is non-comedogenic and largely evaporates after application, so it does not sit in pores.

Is Cyclopentasiloxane natural?

No, it is a synthetic silicone. Like other silicones it ultimately traces back to silica (sand) but is heavily processed into a man-made volatile fluid. It evaporates after application and is well tolerated.

Is Cyclopentasiloxane safe to use during pregnancy?

Cyclopentasiloxane has no known pregnancy concern for topical use. It is a light silicone that mostly evaporates after application rather than being absorbed.

Sunscreens with Cyclopentasiloxane

We rate 1757 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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