Ingredient guide · C

Cyclopentasiloxane

Cyclopentasiloxane is a lightweight, silky silicone commonly used in UK skincare and haircare to give products a smooth, non-greasy feel. It helps formulas spread easily and creates a soft, velvety finish on skin and hair. Shoppers often see it in primers, moisturisers, serums and leave-in hair treatments.

Cyclopentasiloxane — Cyclopentasiloxane is a synthetic silicone derived from silica, the mineral found in qu… | UK Lips ingredient guide

How it works in skincare

In cosmetics and skincare, cyclopentasiloxane acts as an emollient and solvent that evaporates quickly after application, leaving behind a smooth, breathable film. This volatile silicone improves the spreadability of products, reduces tackiness and helps other ingredients glide effortlessly across the skin or hair shaft. It is prized in UK formulations for delivering a luxurious, powdery-soft after-feel without weighing products down.

Key benefits

  • Gives a silky, non-greasy feel to creams and serums
  • Improves product spreadability and even application
  • Creates a smooth, soft finish on skin and hair
  • Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and frizz
  • Enhances the slip and detangling properties of hair products
  • Allows makeup and skincare to blend seamlessly

Best for

normal skin, combination skin, oily skin, sensitive skin

Where it comes from

Cyclopentasiloxane is a synthetic silicone derived from silica, the mineral found in quartz and sand. It is produced through chemical processing rather than being extracted directly from a plant or natural source.

Products with Cyclopentasiloxane

Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Cyclopentasiloxane than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.

All ingredients