Cyclomethicone
Avoid
Official INCI name
A mix of volatile silicones — mostly D5, sometimes D4 and D6. Silky on skin, but all three build up in the environment, and the EU restricts them.
What it does
Emollient. Oils, butters, esters and silicones that soften and smooth.
Worth knowing
Persists in the environment or harms aquatic life (e.g. microplastics, some UV filters).
“Cyclomethicone” is its name in the EU glossary of common ingredient names (no. 7867), the names labels in the EU must use. © European Union, EUR-Lex.