Ingredient glossary
Cyclohexasiloxane
On your shelf ✓What Cyclohexasiloxane does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Cyclohexasiloxane · Also: D6
In short: Cyclohexasiloxane delivers softening and volatile texture, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate.
- What it does
- Softening, volatile texture
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Evidence
- Moderate
- How long
- Straight away
The molecule
The Glow take
A comfort ingredient, and none the worse for it.
Cyclohexasiloxane is here for feel and moisture, softening the skin and slowing water loss. More comfort than correction.
— Maya
What it does
- softening
- volatile texture
moderate evidenceUsed alongside other silicones to tune dry-down and playtime; considered low-irritation in cosmetic use.
On a label: usually effective at 2-20%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- oily
- combo
- normal
Approach with care
- very dry needing occlusive
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DryTake care
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Where it fits in your routine
This one works on contact — there is nothing to wait for.
What that covers, and what it does not
Measured on: Slip and weightless dry-down during application, from a volatile silicone film.
The same volatile cyclic siloxane chemistry as D5 with one extra unit and a slightly longer play-time before it evaporates; the slip is present on contact and gone after dry-down. Used at 2-20% chiefly to tune the feel of other silicones. There is even less ingredient-specific literature than for D5, and no study reports a timed skin outcome.
No efficacy-timing trial identified. Ingredient physical chemistry (volatile cyclic siloxane), read-across from D5.
Plays well with
- other silicones
- humectants
Cyclohexasiloxane, answered
Is Cyclohexasiloxane safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Cyclohexasiloxane is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Cyclohexasiloxane?
Approach Cyclohexasiloxane with care if any of these apply to you: very dry needing occlusive.
What concentration of Cyclohexasiloxane actually works?
Cyclohexasiloxane tends to do its job in the 2 to 20% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
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