MessagesOverviewWhat Is It? Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer are flexible silicon polymers consisting of dimethicone copolymers that are linked together (crosslinked). In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients are used in deodorants, makeup, and skin and hair care products. Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products? In cosmetics and personal care products, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Vinyl/Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer all function as viscosity increasing agents - nonaqueous. Dimethicone Crosspolymer also functions as a dispersing agent - nonsurfactant, an emulsion stabilizer and a hair fixative. Scientific Facts: The dimethicone crosspolymer ingredients are large molecules that are not soluble in water. These ingredients are typically supplied to cosmetic product manufacturers as swollen gels. SafetySafety Information: The safety of Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products. More safety Information: CIR Safety Review: Based on the size of the dimethicone crosspolymer ingredients and the lack of water solubility, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that these ingredients would not penetrate the skin. Dermal irritation and sensitization studies of these ingredient did not identify any adverse effects. Based on the available data, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Vinyl/Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer are safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products. Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Vinyl/Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union. Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/documents/directive/inde... ResourcesResources: Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/