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Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

What Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer is & what it does

A silicone elastomer powder that mattifies, blurs imperfections, and gives a soft, dry-touch finish. It absorbs oil and refines texture.

What is Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer and what does it do in sunscreen?

It is a silicone elastomer powder that mattifies the skin, blurs the look of pores and fine lines, and gives a soft, dry-touch finish. In sunscreen it absorbs excess oil and refines texture, which helps the product feel less greasy and sit smoothly under makeup. It is a sensory and finish ingredient rather than a protective one.

Is Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer safe?

Yes. It is a large, inert silicone powder that stays on the surface of the skin and is not absorbed. Silicone elastomers like this have a long record of safe, well-tolerated use in sunscreens and makeup and are non-irritating for most people. It is a texture ingredient with no known reactivity concern for typical use.

Does Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer clog pores?

Generally no. As a silicone elastomer powder it sits on the surface and is widely regarded as non-comedogenic, and it actually helps absorb excess oil. Because of its mattifying, oil-absorbing nature it is often found in formulas aimed at oily and combination skin. Heavier oils and waxes elsewhere in a formula are the more likely cause of breakouts.

Is Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer good for oily skin?

Yes, it is well suited to oily and combination skin. It absorbs excess oil and leaves a matte, dry-touch finish, so it helps a sunscreen feel less shiny and greasy through the day. It also blurs the look of pores, which is why it shows up in many mattifying and makeup-style sunscreens.

What is Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer on an ingredient list?

That long name is the INCI name for a crosslinked silicone elastomer, the kind sold as a soft silicone powder or gel. The name simply describes its chemistry: a silicone network built to form a light, blurring powder. On a label it usually appears among the texture and finish ingredients rather than near the active filters.

Sunscreens with Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

We rate 230 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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