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PEG-10 Dimethicone

What PEG-10 Dimethicone is & what it does

A silicone-based emulsifier that blends water and silicone phases, key to long-wearing water-in-silicone sunscreens. It also gives a smooth, light feel.

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

PEG-10 Dimethicone is a silicone-based emulsifier. It bridges water and silicone, which lets formulators build water-in-silicone sunscreens, the long-wearing, water-resistant type that holds up well in heat and humidity. It also contributes a smooth, light, non-greasy slip to the texture.

Is PEG-10 Dimethicone safe?

Yes. It is a widely used, well-tolerated silicone emulsifier that works on the surface to blend the phases of a formula rather than penetrating the skin. It is not a common irritant or allergen at the levels used. Like other PEG ingredients it can carry trace manufacturing by-products, which reputable makers purify out; that is a contaminant concern, not the ingredient itself.

Does PEG-10 Dimethicone clog pores?

Generally no. It is a lightweight silicone emulsifier rather than a heavy oil or wax, and it is one of the ingredients that helps give silicone sunscreens their light, breathable feel. It is not considered a notable pore-clogging ingredient, though very acne-prone skin occasionally reacts to rich silicone formulas as a whole.

Is PEG-10 Dimethicone a silicone?

Yes, it is a modified silicone. It is dimethicone (a common silicone) that has had PEG chains attached, which turns the water-repelling silicone into an emulsifier that can also work with water. That dual nature is exactly what makes water-in-silicone sunscreens possible.

Is PEG-10 Dimethicone natural?

No, it is synthetic. Silicones like dimethicone are lab-made, and the PEG portion is added through a man-made step, so the finished emulsifier does not occur in nature. That is normal for this type of ingredient and is what gives it its smooth, long-wearing performance.

Sunscreens with PEG-10 Dimethicone

We rate 441 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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