Silicones: A Beauty Success Story1
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They have been around for over sixty years, and their usage is still increasing. When it comes to beauty products, silicones are everywhere. Shampoos, conditioners, styling products, sunscreens, primers, foundations, lipsticks, mascaras and more all contain them. Anita Hall investigates...
So what exactly are silicones? And why have they become so ubiquitous in the beauty world?
Silicones are made by synthesising the element silicon with oxygen and other elements, such as carbon and hydrogen. Because silicon binds readily with oxygen, it is rarely found in a pure state in nature, and most commonly exists as silicon dioxide or silica. Silica is found in high abundance in quartz (sand). And, sure enough, it is sand that is frequently used to make silicones.
