Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a crosslinked synthetic polymer used as a texture modifier, oil-control agent, film former, and soft-focus powder in skin care, makeup, and hair products. It helps thicken anhydrous systems and gives formulas a smooth, cushiony, less greasy feel.
What does Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a crosslinked synthetic polymer used as a texture modifier, oil-control agent, film former, and soft-focus powder in skin care, makeup, and hair products. It helps thicken anhydrous systems and gives formulas a smooth, cushiony, less greasy feel.
Is Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is usually flagged because it is a persistent synthetic polymer, not because it is a common skin sensitizer. It is generally well tolerated on skin, but it sits outside many natural and organic ingredient frameworks.
Is Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3 sustainable?
This material is synthetic and relies on mineral-derived silicon chemistry plus fossil-derived carbon inputs. It is not readily biodegradable, so its main sustainability issue is environmental persistence rather than agricultural sourcing pressure.
Is Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3 COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS natural or organic standards. It has weak Green Chemistry alignment because it is nonrenewable, highly persistent, and designed for long-lasting physical performance rather than biodegradation.
How does Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3 work chemically?
The molecule is a three-dimensional, crosslinked polymer network with a methyl-substituted Si-O backbone, which gives it flexibility, low surface energy, and a dry slip feel. It is water-insoluble, nonionic, broadly pH-stable, and typically used at low single-digit to moderate percentages depending on whether it is supplied as a powder or pre-dispersed gel.
Last updated 2026-05-13