Database/Opacifying/Polymethylsilsesquioxane
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Polymethylsilsesquioxane natural?

No. Classed as a silicone polymer, which is scored 0.0 by this site's convention despite its mineral-derived Si-O backbone.

INCI namePolymethylsilsesquioxane
CAS68554-70-1
FunctionOpacifying
FeedstockManufactured by hydrolyzing and condensing methyltrimethoxysilane, a synthetic…

How we scored it

Silicone resin from hydrolysis/condensation of methyltrimethoxysilane; this site's convention scores all silicones 0.0 regardless of Si-O mineral content.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Manufactured by hydrolyzing and condensing methyltrimethoxysilane, a synthetic organosilicon monomer. Treated as 100% non-renewable under this site's silicone convention.

In plain English

A silicone powder made from a silane building block. Gives products a silky, blurring feel and helps mattify skin or hair.

CosIng definition: Polymer formed by hydrolysis and condensation of methyltrimethoxysilane

Natural alternatives with the same function

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE