Amphiphilic Silicone Polymers in Oil – Cosmetic Silicone Oil Manufacturer

Because alkyl silicones have a lower surface tension than hydrocarbon-based molecules, coupled with their amphiphilic structure (silicone and alkyl groups in the same molecule), this means that adding a properly selected alkyl silicone to an oil will result in a surface Tension decreases in the range from 30 dynes/cm to 20 dynes/cm. Consumers are able to differentiate the skin feel of two oils whose surface tensions differ by only 2 dynes/cm. The result is a more silicone feel (silicic acid). The implications of this for cosmetic formulators need to be clearly understood. By adding low concentrations of a properly selected silicone compound, the aesthetics of a product can be dramatically altered, causing consumers to perceive the product as completely different from the base formula, lacking only the added silicone. For example, hydrophobic serums based on fatty esters can be made easier to spread by adding less than 1% alkylsiloxane. Consumers perceive this improved spreadability and lower surface tension as a less hydrophilic serum.