| What is it? | Silicone elastomer is a super fine, slippy, gorgeous powder ingredient that improves all kinds of colour cosmetics. It helps with oil control, improves skin feel, and helps disguise imperfections.
If you’ve used Silica Dimethyl Silylate and Silica Microspheres, I’d say silicone elastomer exists somewhere between them. It’s slippy like silica microspheres, but thickens a bit more like Silica Dimethyl Silylate (SDS). |
| INCI | Dimethyl Siloxane Elastomer, Fumed Silica (generic) |
| Appearance | Ultrafine white powder |
| Usage rate | Up to 20% |
| Texture | Ultra-smooth and rich |
| Scent | None |
| Solubility | Insoluble, but so fine that it is indistinguishable. |
| Why do we use it in formulations? | Basically, it makes everything better! It blurs fine lines, improves slip, and can improve wear time by helping control sebum. It improves colour/pigment payoff and makes our cosmetics feel more expensive/luxurious. TKB lists the usage rate as up to 20%, but I’ve noticed big differences including it at less than 1%! |
| Do you need it? | No, but if you love making high-end colour cosmetics I definitely recommend it. |
| Refined or unrefined? | Silicone Elastomer only exists as a refined product. |
| Strengths | It’s a potent and highly effective way to level up your cosmetic formulations. |
| Weaknesses | I have only found silicone elastomer for sale from TKB Trading in the USA. They ship internationally, but I know that can get expensive. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions | Silica Microspheres would be my first suggestion. Keep in mind that when you’re making substitutions in cosmetics even very small changes can dramatically impact the performance, wear time, and consistency of the cosmetic. I worked on a formulation that included 0.25% Silica Dimethyl Silylate (SDS), which didn’t work—I switched that 0.25% to silicone elastomer and it was perfect. |
| How to Work with It | Avoid inhaling silicone elastomer; I find it is far less floaty/inhalation prone than Silica Dimethyl Silylate and Silica Microspheres. |
| Storage & Shelf Life | Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, silicone elastomer should last three years or more. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | Read the reviews for this product on TKB Trading to get some fun ideas for using it! |
| Recommended starter amount | 30g (1.06oz) will last a long time! |
| Where to Buy it | I have only found silicone elastomer for sale from TKB Trading. |
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