Momentive launches silicone products for cosmetics

The company is expanding its range of specialty silicones and boron nitrides grades for manufacturers of cosmetics and personal care products.

Breakdown of new products​

The four new products being presented at In-Cosmetics include:

• Softouch* CC6097 Boron Nitride Powder, designed for applications that typically require good coverage and a matte finish. Momentive said it achieves this thanks to a turbostratic structure that does not transmit light well.

• Softouch CCS402 Boron Nitride Powder adds sparkle to personal care formulations on account of its quasi-graphitic structure with a large particle size.

• Silsoft* A+ Conditioning Agent aims to provide superior conditioning, particularly to damaged hair, and enhanced deposition compared to traditional amino silicones. (Proposed INCI name: Polysilicone X (and) glycerin (and) DPG) is a virtually surfactant-free emulsion of an Amino (AB)n multiblock copolymer silicone with an excellent hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance.

• SilForm* Flexible Resin is a MT resin (INCI name: Polymethylsilsesquioxane) that is soluble in selected cosmetic solvents and emollients. It is capable of forming a flexible film on the skin, typically resulting in good wear properties. Momentive claims its well-balanced properties make this MT resin an excellent candidate to consider for color cosmetics and long lasting sunscreens.

Momentive supplies the cosmetics industry with a range of silicones designed to give hair care and skin care products a smoother texture but also make drier antiperspirants, smoother UV sunscreens, and help make topical cosmetics more spreadable.

However, Momentive also serves a number of industries beyond cosmetics including construction, aerospace and packaging, which have been harder hit by the recession.

To adapt to the new economic climate the company announced restructuring measures in December that include the cutting of 250 full-time jobs or 9 percent of the workforce.