Database/Bulking/Polysilicone-16
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Polysilicone-16 natural?

Mostly. The collagen protein keeps its natural-origin mass even though it is bound into a silicone network; only the silicone and silane parts count as 0.00.

INCI namePolysilicone-16
FunctionBulking
FeedstockHydrolysed collagen is derivatised with PG-propyl groups and…

How we scored it

Hydrolysed collagen with PG-propyl links bonded into a caprylyl dimethicone silsesquioxane network. The collagen peptide is natural; the silicone parts are 0.00. Composition is not published. In Seiwa Kasei's patent for these silylated-peptide/silane copolymers (US 6,228,968, Example 1) a 1,750 Da collagen peptide carrying one silane linker is condensed with 5 equivalents of dimethylsiloxane units: peptide 26.5 g of 35.4 g = 0.75. The silane linker, siloxane and alkyl silanes count 0.00. With the extra alkyl and dimethicone silanes in this INCI, taken as about 0.70.
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

Hydrolysed collagen is derivatised with PG-propyl groups and bonded into a caprylyl dimethicone silsesquioxane network. Only the collagen peptide part is natural-origin; no alternative route is known.

In plain English

A silicone-based material combined with hydrolysed collagen (collagen broken into small protein pieces), used as a bulking ingredient. It is made in a factory; the collagen part comes from animal protein, while the silicone and linking groups are synthetic.

CosIng definition: Hydrolyzed collagen PG-propyl caprylyl dimethicone silsesquioxane

Natural alternatives with the same function

Alumina 100% natural origin

A mineral powder (aluminum oxide) refined from bauxite ore. Used in cosmetics as an abrasive, absorbent, bulking agent,…

 Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate 100% natural origin

A fine mineral powder, a complex silicate of aluminium, calcium and sodium refined from natural minerals. It is…

 Aluminum Magnesium Oxide 100% natural origin

A mineral powder (magnesium aluminate spinel) used to absorb oil and moisture, stop powders caking and add bulk,…

 Aluminum Silicate 100% natural origin

A mineral powder used as an abrasive, filler and anti-caking agent in powders and cosmetics. It comes from…

 Aluminum Zinc Oxide 100% natural origin

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

 Ananas Sativus Fruit Powder 100% natural origin

A powder made from dried, ground pineapple plant material, used to add texture or mild exfoliation to formulas.…

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-16. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3POLYSILICONE-16. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYSILICONE-16