Ingredient glossary
Cyclopentasiloxane
On your shelf ✓What Cyclopentasiloxane does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Cyclopentasiloxane · Also: D5
In short: Cyclopentasiloxane 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane 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 evidenceWidely used as a carrier for actives and heavier silicones with low irritation and low comedogenicity in most users.
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 silky dry-down during application, from a volatile silicone film.
A volatile cyclic siloxane used at 2-20%: it spreads instantly, gives measurable reduction in surface drag, then evaporates, so its own effect is both immediate and short-lived. What remains on skin is the heavier silicone or active it was carrying. No trial times any lasting skin change from D5 itself, and the regulatory attention it has attracted concerns systemic and environmental endpoints, not efficacy.
No efficacy-timing trial identified. Ingredient physical chemistry (volatile cyclic siloxane); EU SCCS cyclomethicone opinions address safety endpoints only.
Plays well with
- other silicones
- humectants
Cyclopentasiloxane, answered
Is Cyclopentasiloxane safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Cyclopentasiloxane 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 Cyclopentasiloxane?
Approach Cyclopentasiloxane with care if any of these apply to you: very dry needing occlusive.
What concentration of Cyclopentasiloxane actually works?
Cyclopentasiloxane tends to do its job in the 2 to 20% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
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