Ingredient glossary
Cyclopentasiloxane
On your shelf ✓What Cyclopentasiloxane does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Cyclopentasiloxane · Also: D5
In short: Cyclopentasiloxane delivers softening and volatile texture, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate.
- What it does
- Softening, volatile texture
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Evidence
- Moderate
The molecule
The Glow take
A comfort ingredient, and none the worse for it.
Cyclopentasiloxane is here for feel and moisture, softening the skin and slowing water loss. More comfort than correction.
— Maya
What it does
- softening
- volatile texture
moderate evidenceWidely used as a carrier for actives and heavier silicones with low irritation and low comedogenicity in most users.
On a label: usually effective at 2-20%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- oily
- combo
- normal
Approach with care
- very dry needing occlusive
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DryTake care
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- other silicones
- humectants
Cyclopentasiloxane, answered
Is Cyclopentasiloxane safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Cyclopentasiloxane is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Cyclopentasiloxane?
Approach Cyclopentasiloxane with care if any of these apply to you: very dry needing occlusive.
What concentration of Cyclopentasiloxane actually works?
Cyclopentasiloxane tends to do its job in the 2 to 20% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.