After going through quite a few frizz control serums, and scanning through the names of chemicals which half of them I cannot pronounce properly, I wonder, with all these chemicals that I do not know anything about, should I be worried of what goes onto my hair?
Here are the most common 3 ingredients found in hair serum that provides a frizz-control solutions;
Cyclopentasiloxane
Dimethicone
Dimethiconol
If you’re thinking that they all seem to be related to silicone somehow, you are absolutely right! They are! But why?
So just a disclaimer about the all the information here. These information are for knowledge purposes to get to know more about the chemicals that goes into a frizz control hair product. The information has been extracted from multiple sources and will be referenced and credited to relevant sites.
Let's get learning!
Cyclopentasiloxane
What is Cyclopentasiloxane and how is it used in cosmetics and haircare?
“Synthetically manufactured, it is a silicone derivative that carries a variety of skin and hair applications, such as hair spray and sunscreen lotion, among others. With a larger focus on uses in styling, cyclopentasiloxane is finding more and more popularity in hair care products, and those where a microscopic protective layer may benefit the skin.” -thedermreview
Why is it used in hair care and cosmetics?
“A popular additive with manufacturers is that the ingredient is colorless and odorless, which makes the process of mixing it with other ingredients easier.This chemical is also an excellent lubricant that sufficiently stretches water layers on the surface of the skin.the silicone often acts as a waterproofing agent, lubricates the skin, and offers a temporary shine.”-thedermreview
Is it harmful?
”Possible bioaccumulation hazard”-ewg
Dimethicone
What is dimethicone and what is it used for?
Dimethicone (also called polymethylsiloxane) is a silicon-based polymer used as a lubricant and conditioning agent. Recommended restricted use in cosmetics by industry panels.-ewg
It is an emulsifier (which means it helps keep other ingredients from separating) and a moisturizer that makes it a highly effective additive to skin and hair care products. The chemical is also used as an emollient to make the surface of the skin more flexible and help the skin retain moisture.
Dimethicone is often found in hair care products such as shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and detangling products. The chemical acts as an emulsifier, keeping other ingredients better mixed, thus helping the product coat the hair strands more evenly. Once the hair is coated with products containing dimethicone, stubborn snags, knots, curls, and frizzy hair can be combed through more easily.-thedermreview
Dimethiconol
What is dimethiconol and what is it used for?
Dimethiconol is a silicon-based polymer.Antifoaming Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Emollient; MOISTURISING. Has antistatic agent that prevents and inhibits the buildup of static electricity
Film former, as it dries up to form a thin coating on the skin hair or nails.-cosmeticsinfo
They offer a controlled conditioning effect to leave unhealthy, damaged hair looking and feeling fantastic. As the basis of serum-type leave-in conditioners they ensure hair feels silky-soft and velvety with excellent shine characteristics.
Dimethiconol’s unique properties are widely used in hair cuticle coats offering notable respite from problems such as split-ends. In this hair cuticle formulation, the volatile cyclopentasiloxane functions as a temporary, transient conditioner. As it slowly evaporates, it improves the wet combing of hair to leave gloss-enhancing non-volatile dimethiconol. This system improves dry combing and provide silkiness feel on hair after application.-personalcaremagazine
Summary
So to summarise why these 3 ingredients are most commonly found in frizz products is because they are a lubricant to hair and also acts as an emulsifier that binds chemicals together. These chemicals provides temporary relief from your hair from the static hence providing a frizz control, These chemicals also creates that film barrier on your hair to lock in the moisture, leaving the surface of the hair feeling smooth and shiny. These products will be stripped off from the hair with shampoo. Do note that accumulation of these silicone based product may cause your hair to be water-repellant from buildup. So ensure that you are using a clarifying shampoo once in awhile to remove any build-up on your hair.
My advise is to be inquisitive about things you may not know well about. Then you will be able to make an informed decision on your own to see if a product is for you.
Hope this little bit of information was beneficial for you and till the next learning journey, Don't Stop the MSCHFF!
xoxo
References
http://www.thedermreview.com/cyclopentasiloxane/
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701741/CYCLOPENTASILOXANE/#.WYtFoVUjHI
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702011/DIMETHICONE/#.WYtGPFUjHIU
http://www.thedermreview.com/dimethicone/
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702044/DIMETHICONOL/#.WYtHCVUjHIU
http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/dimethiconol-and-derivatives-dimethiconol
https://www.personalcaremagazine.com/story/13149/selecting-the-perfect-silicone-for-your-formulation