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Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer

What Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer is & what it does

A silicone elastomer emulsifier that stabilizes formulas while giving a smooth, cushiony, soft-focus finish. It helps refine texture and lock in actives.

What is Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer and what does it do in sunscreen?

It is a silicone elastomer emulsifier. It stabilizes the formula while giving a smooth, cushiony, soft-focus finish, which is why it is common in foundations and tinted sunscreens. By thickening the oil or silicone phase it also helps lock in the UV filters and other actives so the texture stays refined.

Is Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer safe?

Yes, as used in cosmetics. Silicone crosspolymers are large, inert networks that sit on the surface of the skin and are well tolerated, including by sensitive skin. It is used purely to improve texture and stability and has a long history in makeup and sunscreens.

Does Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer clog pores?

Generally no. Silicone elastomers like this one are widely used in oil-free and soft-focus products precisely because they feel light and are not classic pore-clogging ingredients. If a product breaks you out, the heavier emollients in the formula are the more likely cause.

Is Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer a silicone?

Yes. It is a crosslinked form of dimethicone, a silicone, with PEG groups added so it can also work as an emulsifier. That silicone network is what gives the blurring, velvety feel you notice in many tinted and primer-style sunscreens.

What else is Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer called?

On the label it appears under its full INCI name, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, often written with slashes. The PEG-10/15 part refers to the water-loving groups attached to the silicone that turn it into an emulsifier, and there is no shorter common name for it.

Sunscreens with Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer

We rate 178 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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