Phenyl Trimethicone FAQ

Q: What is Phenyl Trimethicone?
A: Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicone-based cosmetic ingredient commonly used in skincare, haircare, and personal care products. It is a clear, thin and pretty much odorless liquid that acts as an emollient, providing a smooth and silky feel to the skin and hair along with a lot of shine! It dissolves in most oils giving it tremendous versatility.

Q: Is Phenyl Trimethicone suitable for all skin and hair types?
A: Yes, Phenyl Trimethicone is generally well-tolerated and suitable for all skin and hair types. However, as with any cosmetic ingredient, some individuals may be sensitive or allergic to it; although it is very rare. It is advisable to perform a patch test before using a product containing Phenyl Trimethicone, especially if you have known sensitivities or allergies.

Q: Can Phenyl Trimethicone clog pores or cause breakouts?
A: Phenyl Trimethicone is considered non-comedogenic, meaning it is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts. It is a lightweight ingredient that allows the skin to breathe. However, individual reactions may vary, so it’s always recommended to test a product on a small area of the skin before applying it more widely.

Q: Is Phenyl Trimethicone safe to use?
A: Phenyl Trimethicone is considered safe for cosmetic use when used as directed. It has a long history of use in the beauty industry and has undergone various safety evaluations – specifically in 1986 and then again in the early 2000s. However, it’s important to follow the recommended usage levels and guidelines provided. Link (Phenyl-Substituted Methicones_0.pdf (cir-safety.org))

Q: Why exactly does Phenyl Trimethicone work in cosmetics?

This answer requires a bit of chemistry:

The backbone of this product has a siloxane bond that tends to be very flexible. This flexibility means that this product on a molecular level will bend and swerve to allow gasses to move through it. This is what gives the product its breathability. This also gives the product its emollient properties.
The phenyl group has a higher refractive index that ends up giving the shine and luster to the product.
Silicones tend to have a very low surface tension – LK-PTM included. This gives the product its extreme spreadability.
A large number of methyl groups; attached to a silicon atom on the molecule gives the unique texture that is super smooth and non-greasy

Q: How should I incorporate Phenyl Trimethicone into my skincare or haircare products?
A: Phenyl Trimethicone is typically used as an ingredient in cosmetic products rather than applied directly. Look to add LK-PTM directly into the oil phase of the formulation. LK-PTM is compatible with most natural oils, ester additives, other silicones and also general petroleum linear paraffins. In some cases – LK-PTM may be added after emulsification since its low viscosity allows it to move quickly into the oil phase without de-stabilizing the product.

Q: Can Phenyl Trimethicone be used in combination with other cosmetic ingredients?
A: Yes, Phenyl Trimethicone is compatible with a wide range of cosmetic ingredients. It can be formulated alongside other silicones, emollients, humectants, or active ingredients commonly used in cosmetics. This is one of the best properties of LK-PTM since silicones have limited compatibility with many oils; if you want to incorporate a high shine, non-greasy feel into a product in which other silicones don’t fit in – LK-PTM is a great option!