Shin-Etsu Silicones Showcases Alternatives to Microplastics

Shin-Etsu Silicones of America recently demonstrated its newly enhanced line of microplastic powder alternative raw materials and formulations at their booth’s texture bar demonstration at the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC) Suppliers’ Day event this past June.

Addressing the search for alternative ingredients for microplastics head-on, Shin-Etsu Silicones recently presented three new elastomer gels (KSG-16-SF , KSG-19-PF and KM-116) along with existing KSG-19 and KSG-45. Shin-Etsu has developed this range of products designed to match benefits such as high powderiness, increased viscosity and improved soft-focus.

Premiering at their booth’s texture bar during the event, these high performing ingredients were shown in a range of different formulations from skincare to make-up and included:

Microplastic Free Solutions

KSG-16-SF: INCI: Dimethicone (&) Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

This silicone elastomer has been optimized to provide maximum soft-focus and line blurring effects to effectively hide wrinkles and small imperfections of the skin. It also delivers a silky skin feeling and serves as a thickening agent−offering good compatibility with silicones. Notably, it will be showcased at their booth in a formulation texture bar example with a hydrating cloudless primer.

KSG-19-PF: INCI: Dimethicone (&) Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

This silicone elastomer has been fine-tuned to provide a noticeable powdery sensation to cosmetic formulations for skin care and make-up. Primarily optimized for delivering a powdery skin feeling, it also provides a matte effect that reduces shine on the skin. Additionally, this silicone elastomer product can also serve as a thickening agent for certain formulations with good compatibility with silicones.

KM-116: INCI: Dimethicone (&) Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

KM-116 is a highly concentrated emulsion of silicone elastomer gel. It can be easily incorporated into water-based or O/W formulations to give a soft, silky, and velvety skin feel. Reduces stickiness when applied to the skin.

KSG-19: INCI: Dimethicone & Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

This lightweight elastomer gel delivers a silky powdery sensation, thickening agent and matte effect and good compatibility with silicones. This material works well in systems where higher levels may be desired to achieve unique textures without feeling too heavy.

KSG-45: INCI: Coco-Caprylate/Caprate (&) Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

This alkyl modified silicone elastomer gel is swollen with a plant-based oil that provides a noticeable powdery skin feel with enhanced thickening and mattifying effects. KSG-45 has good compatibility with silicones, organic oils and esters and because it’s swollen in a natural plant-based oil, it is uniquely desirable for when you have systems that are highly organic.

SESA / NYSCC

The performances of KSG-16-SF and KSG-19-PF elastomer gels as microplastic alternatives to provide thickening, soft-focus, along with a powdery soft after-feel to cosmetic formulation, was demonstrated in a water in silicone face primer, a water in oil moisturizing face lotion and a soft matte fluid foundation.

The performance benefits of KSG-19 and KSG-45 were demonstrated in the following unique textured formulations. Water in oil revitalizing undereye stick, anhydrous whipped pore smoothing primer, cloud mousse primer with water and an SPF 50 ZnO mineral sunscreen.

According to SESA’s Cosmetics Application Laboratory Team Leader, Janine Cherette, “All of the materials demonstrate high optical blurring with nice sensorial texture and oil thickening benefits. Used in a wide range of cosmetics formulations, they continue our effort to provide silicone options addressing the consumers’ needs for aesthetically pleasing performance-based products.”

SESA’s North America Marketing Manager, Eric Bishop, noted, “The range of soft-focus formulations mixture possibilities are vast for formulators to choose from to achieve their desired skin-friendly results. The interactive texture bar succeeded in attracting significant interest from the world-wide visitors at the event−with our soft-focus microplastic alternatives as a focal point.”