Momentive unveils new conditioning agent at in-cosmetics

Developed as a lightweight conditioning additive, the paraben-free ingredient is described as a ‘36% active micro-emulsion of a patented quaternized silicone terpolymer (silicone quat)’.

According to Momentive, which carried out tests to demonstrate the benefits of the ingredient when used in hair care applications, Silsoft Silk’s quat density and high actives level mean it can deliver a more effective performance than other conditioning polymers.

Indeed, Silsoft Silk is claimed to impart damaged hair with softness without leaving it heavy, limp or greasy, enhance deposition from rinse-off products (especially shampoos), and is also said to make hair easy to de-tangle and comb.

Evaluation of conditioning and sensory benefits​

In terms of its sensory properties, Silsoft Silk was found to 'offer a soft, silky superior feel to dry hair' when incorporated into a shampoo at 1% active and then compared by panelists to sets of tresses treated with 
the same shampoo containing amodimethicone, a commercial silicone quat and a control without the silicone.

In one of the tests performed to evaluate the conditioning benefits of the ingredient, Silsoft Silk was included in a shampoo formulation and compared to amodimethicone and a commercially available silicone quat.

Following the analysis, Momentive noted that when compared to the other technologies, Silsoft Silk reduced the force required during combing of both wet and dry damaged hair.

Deposition efficiency​

In order to assess the deposition efficiency of Silsoft Silk, the conditioning agent was again compared to amodimethicone and a microemulsion of a commercially available silicone quat on damaged hair.

The results indicated that Silsoft Silk deposited much more efficiently onto damaged European, Latin and Asian hair compared to the other conditioning agents tested according to Momentive.

In addition to its suitability for use in hair care products such as shampoos and conditioners (leave on and rinse off), serums and shine sprays, the company highlights that Silsoft Silk can also be used in products such as body washes and liquid and bar soaps.