Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Dimethicone crosspolymer is a non-volatile silicone elastomer used mainly for slip, blurring, and occlusive barrier support, typically at low-to-moderate percentages in leave-on products. Clinical experience and patch-test data for silicones show a very low rate of irritation and sensitization, with reactions being uncommon and more often related to formula occlusion or co-ingredients rather than the polymer itself. For severely reactive or compromised skin it is generally well tolerated, but not completely inert, so I score it as exceptionally gentle rather than 0.0. Safety Notes: In mass-market moisturizers, primers, sunscreens, and hair/skin conditioners, dimethicone crosspolymer is often used at very low levels (~0.1–1%) as a rheology modifier and slip/matte agent within a silicone phase. Many leave-on products (primers/blur products, silicone-gel moisturizers, anti-chafe balms) use higher loads (typically ~3–15%) for cushion, fill, and sebum-control effects, and specialty OTC “100% silicone” scar gels/occlusives commonly incorporate substantial crosspolymer gels where the crosspolymer itself can reach ~20–30% in the final product (remainder largely dimethicone/volatile silicone), while rinse-off formats tend to sit at the lower end due to cost and deposition needs. There is no specific FDA/EU cosmetic maximum for this ingredient; practical upper limits are set by texture, spreadability, and processing viscosity.