Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic elastomeric film-former and sensory modifier that gives formulas slip, cushion, and a soft-focus finish. It is often used in primers, makeup, sunscreens, and skin-care textures to reduce tack and improve spread.

What does Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is a synthetic elastomeric film-former and sensory modifier that gives formulas slip, cushion, and a soft-focus finish. It is often used in primers, makeup, sunscreens, and skin-care textures to reduce tack and improve spread.

Is Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer clean?

From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient faces scrutiny because many standards restrict synthetic organosilicon polymers and may question residual cyclic impurities. It is generally low-irritation on skin, so the main concern is standards alignment rather than direct skin tolerance.

Is Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer sustainable?

This material is mineral-derived and petrochemical-processed, and it is not considered readily biodegradable. Its crosslinked structure is designed for stability, which supports product performance but creates persistence concerns after rinse-off or disposal.

Is Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer COSMOS-approved?

This ingredient is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards. It has weak Green Chemistry alignment because it is synthetic, persistent, and not readily biodegradable, despite being effective at low use levels.

How does Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer work chemically?

The molecule is a crosslinked organosilicon elastomer built on a silicon-oxygen backbone with methyl and phenyl substitution, which gives a flexible, powdery-gel network rather than a water-soluble polymer. It is typically used as a dispersed elastomer or gel in anhydrous or emulsion systems, is broadly pH-stable, and is chosen to modify rheology, payoff, and optical blurring without adding water-phase tack.

Last updated 2026-05-13