Database/Opacifying/Polysilicone-12
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Polysilicone-12 natural?

No. Silicones score 0.00 on this site whatever their side groups, so the cholesterol does not change the value.

INCI namePolysilicone-12
FunctionOpacifying
FeedstockCholesterol is esterified onto a carboxyphenoxypropyl cyclosiloxane and…

How we scored it

Cyclosiloxane liquid-crystal copolymer with cholesteryl and methacrylate side groups. Every silicone on this site is 0.00 whatever its side groups (Polysilicone-3, with dextran, is also 0.00): 0.00.
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

Cholesterol is esterified onto a carboxyphenoxypropyl cyclosiloxane and copolymerised with cholesteryl methacrylate and an allyloxy-phenyl ester methacrylate, so only the cholesterol is natural-origin. No alternative route is known.

In plain English

A silicone-based polymer carrying cholesterol side groups, used as an opacifier, which makes a product look less see-through. It is made in a factory; the cholesterol comes from animal sources such as wool grease, while the silicone and methacrylate parts are synthetic.

CosIng definition: Cyclosiloxanes, methyl 3-(4-carboxyphenoxy)propyl, esters with cholesterol and 4-hydroxyphenyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate, polymers with cholesteryl -2-methyl-2-propenoate and 4-(4-(2-propenyloxy)phenylcarbonyloxy)phenyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate

Natural alternatives with the same function

Aluminum Behenate 100% natural origin

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 Aluminum Distearate 100% natural origin

An aluminium salt of stearic acid, a fatty acid from vegetable oil or animal fat. Used in powders…

 Aluminum Hydroxide 100% natural origin

A mineral compound of aluminium and hydroxide. Used in skincare as a texture-improving and opacifying agent.

 Aluminum Isostearates/Laurates/Stearates 100% natural origin

A mixed aluminium soap of isostearic, lauric and stearic fatty acids. It thickens oils, stops powders from caking,…

 Aluminum Tristearate 100% natural origin

An aluminium salt made from stearic acid, a fatty acid from vegetable oil or animal fat. Used in…

 Aluminum Zinc Oxide 100% natural origin

A white mineral powder made from zinc and aluminium oxides. It adds opacity, bulk and absorbency to powders…

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. 2POLYSILICONE-12. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3POLYSILICONE-12. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYSILICONE-12