MYTHS AND COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SILICONES - 1

Silicon-Free Claims in Cosmetic Products

The "silicon-free" claim made in personal care products has gained momentum as a niche marketing tool asserting that such formulations are safer, healthier and more environmentally responsible than others. In reality, such misinformation is driven through blogs and social networks rather than scientific propositions. In research conducted by Mintel in 2014, the company found that consumers in Germany, France, Italy and Spain lacked substantial knowledge about silicones, with 10% having never heard of the material, placing them in a weak position to make informed judgements.

Silicones as a Cosmetic Raw Material

Silicones are among the most versatile raw material groups used in personal care product categories today. Since the 1950s, silicones have provided an optimal performance-to-cost solution in personal care formulations due to their multifunctional benefits. More than 50% of all new cosmetic products launched to market are estimated to contain at least one silicone.

Are Silicones Petroleum Derivatives?

Formulators and consumers often believe silicones are petrochemicals derived from oils. In reality, silicone production begins with sand, also known as silica or quartz, which is a product of oxygen and silicon—two of the most abundant elements found globally.

Are Silicones Natural?

Silicones do not grow on trees, but most of the substances called "natural" in cosmetic laboratories are not produced differently either. Most raw materials designated as "natural" are highly processed and refined, resulting in a large carbon footprint. Natural materials are perceived as safer, but what exactly is "natural"? On this matter, there are no industry standards or agreed-upon definitions within existing standards—only significant debates. Nevertheless, "natural materials" have various disadvantages, such as variable analyses depending on harvest and consequently variable commercial positioning. Conversely, processes optimized for silicone synthesis from sand provide formulators with well-defined physical and chemical properties that simplify laboratory work.

Do Silicones Damage the Ozone Layer?

The chemicals that damage the ozone layer are not silicones but chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Chlorine gas disrupts ozone formation where harmful reactions occur in the upper atmosphere of Earth, and since silicones contain no chlorine, they cannot contribute to this disruption.

Do Silicones Contribute to Air Pollution?

The chemicals contributing to urban air pollution are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The volatile organic compounds group includes acetone, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methacrylates and ethyl acetate; such chemicals are used in fragrances, nail and hair products and some cleaning formulations. Since silicones are classified as inorganic products, they are not in the volatile organic compounds class that causes air pollution. However, relevant regulations are not the same worldwide. In Europe, low linear siloxanes and cyclic siloxanes (D4, D5 & D6) are recognized as organic and in some cases volatile organic compounds under Council Directive 1999/13/EC of 11 March 1999. In the United States, the same products—volatile methylsiloxane (VMS)—are exempt from VOC regulations because laboratory experiments at the University of California demonstrated that, unlike other organic compounds with similar reactivity, the degradation of VMS in the atmosphere does not lead to ground-level ozone formation. (CES, 2005b).

Are Silicones Biodegradable?

Although silicones are not biodegradable in the traditional sense, they do degrade in the environment, breaking down into water, silica and/or silicates and carbon dioxide. For low molecular weight silicones, including cyclopentasiloxanes, sunlight and oxygen are the factors triggering degradation. Higher molecular weight silicones are not susceptible to degradation by UV, oxidation or ozone; instead, they seek solid, anhydrous surfaces that preferentially adsorb onto the biomass formed in wastewater treatment plants. What is known in the water treatment industry as sludge is ultimately incinerated. When accumulated on soil, mineral-catalysed degradation causes breakdown of the silicone polymer backbone. This can take weeks and months if soil remains wet, but only days if soil dries. According to analysis results of soils treated with silicones at high concentrations, the impact on microorganism activity is negligible and does not harm plant germination and growth.

Do Silicones Bioaccumulate in Humans and Other Animals?

Silicones do not bioaccumulate because they are too large to pass through cell membranes.

Are Silicones Safe?

Comprehensive research has been conducted by and on behalf of the silicone industry to characterize and document the use and properties of this raw material class in its intended cosmetic applications. Evidence exists in the public domain that reinforces our confidence that silicones in personal care are safe for environmental and human use. Özge Yüksel Özel Technical Business Development Manager Personal Care Azelis Türkiye