Crosslinked silicones, otherwise known as elastomers, are among the newest types of silicone on the market and are typically found in anti-ageing products. They create a ‘soft-focus’ blurring effect that helps to conceal imperfections, lines and wrinkles by reflecting and diffusing light. Silicone elastomers have a distinctive dry, silky feel on the skin and also act to absorb excess oil, mattifying and evening out skin tone. 

In sun care products, silicones add water-resistance, providing protection for longer periods while avoiding the stickiness associated with many organic sunscreens. Acrylates siloxanes are particularly suitable to provide these properties; they play a similar role in cosmetics, making mascaras waterproof and long-lasting, and giving additional staying power to lipsticks, eyeliners, foundations, eyeshadows and blushers, as well as enabling them to be applied more smoothly.

And silicones are not just good for use in skin products – they have long been used in hair formulations where they feature in shampoos, conditioners and styling products. They have the ability to repair the surface of damaged hair, coating it to make it feel softer and smoother, as well as imparting extra shine. In addition, resin blends have been shown to be excellent de-frizzing agents.  Silicones also stay in place to help strengthen hair and safeguard against further damage and humidity. 

Although they cannot be termed ‘natural’, they are derived from natural ingredients and are biologically inert and degradable.  They are also suitable for vegan products and are not derived from palm oil.  They often perform better than natural oils and waxes too. For example, the smaller molecule size of vegetable, nut and seed oils mean they can penetrate the skin and clog pores, while silicone molecules are too large to be absorbed, making them non-comedogenic. In fact, The American Academy of Dermatology suggests silicone-based cosmetics might help those suffering from cystic acne and rosacea. 

When you consider their many benefits, it is no wonder silicones appear on the labels of so many beauty products, and that they have been doing so for so long. Not bad for something that started life on a beach