Common Name(s): Caprylyl trimethicone,caprylyl trimethicone,specialty silicone,non-polar skin conditioner

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides wax-like structuring with silicone conditioning from the combined long alkyl chain and si-o backbone.

Why It's Used: Long-chain synthetic emollients provide precise performance engineering — carbon chain length and branching determining spreading coefficient, viscosity, and wax character for targeted formulation outcomes.

How It Works: Long-chain alkyl modification of dimethicone raises the polymer tm into the wax range — the alkyl side chains crystallise providing wax-type structuring while the si-o backbone provides characteristic silicone dry-touch conditioning.

Typically Found In: Skin care,colour cosmetics,anhydrous products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emollient

Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–30%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required

Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required

Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low; formulation-dependent

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Long-chain alkyl silicones provide hybrid silicone-wax performance unavailable from either component alone — the combination enabling lip products and colour cosmetics with both silicone-like dry feel and wax-like structural integrity.

Last Verified: 2026-03-22

Primary Sources: Cosing database,caprylyl trimethicone long-chain emollient silicone wax review