Elkem unveils sustainability-focused silicone solutions for cosmetics

Elkem Silicones has introduced three low-cyclic silicone ingredients for cosmetic formulations, broadening its Puresil sustainable solutions portfolio. The releases include two eco-designed ingredients and a versatile emulsifier.

The innovations, which will be showcased at In-cosmetics Global in Paris, France (April 14–16), are touted to provide products with desirable sensoriality and high efficacy while maintaining sustainability as a focus.

The personal care industry is moving away from silicones as ecological concerns and potential bans loom, but Elkem is emphasizing sustainability as a primary characteristic of its silicone-based expansion.

“Consumers increasingly expect beauty products that deliver both a luxurious sensorial experience and reliable performance, while staying true to their environmental values,” says Feifei Lin, global marketing manager of Personal Care at Elkem Silicones.

“With these new Puresil solutions, we are equipping formulators with advanced ingredients that unite sensorial excellence, strong technical performance, and meaningful contributions to more sustainable formulations. Driving sustainability in beauty remains at the heart of our innovation efforts.”

The ingredients are an extension of Elkem’s Puresil ORG series, and are formulated in a sunflower seed-derived C15-19 alkane. This allows the company to collate sensory experience, function, and sustainability through their “biobased, renewable, and readily biodegradable carriers.”

Biobased silicones

Elkem’s innovations will be showcased at In-cosmetics Global.

Elkem Silicones’ two eco-designed ingredients are Puresil ORG 0415 and Puresil ORG 0515.

The former, Puresil ORG 0415, is an elastomer gel, providing lasting hydration, silky sensoriality, and a “soft-focus effect” with even coverage for color cosmetics and skin care solutions. It also has SPF applications as it helps structure mineral sun block into a uniform film.

The latter, Puresil ORG 0515, is an elastomer fluid blend with “exceptionally high lubricity,” improving spreadability and gloss, and provides an even finish in makeup and SPF formulations. It is aligned with use in color cosmetics, hair, skin, and sun care.

The company says that the ingredients’ biobased carriers will enable formulators to reduce the use of fossil fuels in their products.

Outside of the ORG range, Elkem has unveiled Puresil ESG 03, a “multifunctional emulsifying elastomer blend” used in mineral UV filter dispersion and pigments. The company boasts the emulsifier’s superior suspension power, uniform distribution characteristics, and long-term stability in elastomer gel matrices.

The ingredient is aligned with use in anhydrous systems and as a co-emulsifier in both water-in-silicone and water-in-oil emulsions. Its properties are said to enable high performance and sensoriality, allowing formulators to deliver elevated sun protection and color cosmetics.