Dimethicone, an introduction

-
Dimethicone is a kind of Silicone, which is made from petrochemicals. Dimethicone comes in different thicknesses. Our Dimethicone is a liquid, about the viscosity of canola oil. But it is not oily. It is odorless and has a silky feel as you rub it onto your skin.

Dimethicone is popular because it is a great emollient (an emollient soften, soothes and protects the skin by acting as a barrier layer on the skin/hair, keeping the natural water/moisture from drying out). For this reason, you will often see dimethicone used in formulas for lotions, as well as hair care products. Usually, it is not more than 1% - 5% of the formula.

Our color-cosmetic customers like to use Dimethicone for several projects:
  • to make a makeup primer
  • to turn their loose powder makeup into a "pressed powder" (see other blog post)
  • to improve the slip, shine and feel of a lipstick or lip gloss
Dimethicone does not dissolve in water and doesn't really like to dissolve in castor or jojoba oil, either! It can be added to a formula which uses some kind of emulsyfing agent, however. Dimethicone will dissolve into such things as essential oils.

Kaila Westerman
TKB Trading, LLC

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hey Dr. Oz, how about Fruit and Flower Pigments in Cosmetics?

-
This past week, Oprah's Dr. Oz tried to increase his ratings by bashing Mineral Makeup as one of the most dangerous forms of color cosmetics. His basic concern was the inhalation hazard. Umm. OK. I'm going to set that one to the side for now and ask, "Hey, Dr. Oz, how about taking a look at the newest trend on QVC, which is color cosmetics made with fruit and vegetable pigments?" Can we say "not-FDA approved and at risk for bacterial growth"? Loose powder mineral makeup is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but the use of fruits and vegetables to pigment cosmetics sure ain't. The FDA strictly regulates color additives and their approved uses in cosmetics. Per the FDA, the definition of a color additive is a follows (source: Sec 201 ) (t)(1) The term "color additive" means a material which— (A) is a dye, pigment, or other substance made by a process of synthesis or similar artifice, or extracted, isolated, or otherwise
Read more

Patent Pending on Natural Pigments

-
Recently I was contacted regarding the company 100% Pure and its patent pending for use of fruit, vegetable, flower and seed pigments for use in cosmetics. The concern was that if 100% Pure succeeds in their patent then it will negatively affect all natural cosmetic companies. The author requested that we call the examining attorney Tania Ashby at 571-270-1348 and that we write a formal complaint to the commissioner for patents The Commissioner for Patents PO Box 1450 Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 OK, I have passed the word along, now here is what I have thought about this over the years. 1) The folks at 100% Pure are based here in the Bay Area and I have talked with them as well as sold product to them. In particular, the female founder has taken a mineral makeup class from me when I taught years ago at thenovastudio .com. This in itself doesn't mean anything but I wanted to let you know that the people behind 100% Pure are just people. In some ways they are small, independe
Read more

Increase Lip Gloss wear-resistance with new Citrine Clear Wax

-
Image
We are often asked how to make the Tkb Gloss Base (formerly known as Versagel) more resistant to being wiped off the lips.  The best ingredient to accoplish this is a wax and we are happy to recommend our new:  Citrine Clear Wax! Here is how we found that works best:  To 1 gram of TKB Gloss Base, you will want to add from 10%-20% (by weight) of the wax. The more you add, the stronger the fix on the lips. Add too much, and it may have somewhat of a heavy feel, so please experiment.  Instructions: To fill one Silver Rectangular Gloss Container:  Take 20 grams of TKB Gloss Base and add 4 grams of Citrine Clear Wax Heat in the microwave for approximately 2 minute. Stir and allow to cool. Test to see if you like the results.  If you feel that it needs more "staying power", add an additional 4 grams of Citrine Clear Wax.  Once you have decided what you like, we suggest you remelt it, and add your colors before dispensing into the contai
Read more