How silicones can help with sebum control in personal care products

The skin has been described as “the body’s largest organ”, and alongside its functions in bodily protection, sensing and homeostasis, it plays a vital role in personal appearance and self-esteem. It’s therefore important to keep it healthy and looking good – and understanding the role played by sebum is important in achieving this.

The complex roles of sebum in skin health

Sebum is an oily or waxy mix of triglycerides, wax esters, squalene and free fatty acids that is present over most of the skin’s surface, with the exception of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It is secreted by the sebaceous glands, which are usually (but not always) attached to hair follicles.

Sebum has an important role in moisturizing the skin, protecting the body against bacterial and fungal infections, and guarding against damage from UV light. However, hormonal imbalances – especially during adolescence – can result in sebum overproduction. This excess sebum can combine with dead skin cells to block the sebaceous gland duct or the whole hair follicle, leading to the condition known as acne. This can take the form of whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules or (in the worst case) cysts, which can lead to permanent scarring of the skin.

Various over-the-counter and prescription-only topical medications are recommended for treating acne, depending on the severity of the condition. However, there is a lot that can be done within everyday skincare routines to avoid acne arising in the first place.

Reducing sebum buildup

The most obvious ways of avoiding problems from sebum build-up are to eliminate the use of oil-containing (comedogenic) products, and to use regular gentle cleansing products that gently remove excess sebum. However, to reduce the frequency of such cleansing routines, there remains a need for everyday skincare products that inherently alleviate the accumulation of sebum. 

This is where silicones can play a role. Although silicones are normally used as liquids and are most often valued for enhancing product application, masking skin imperfections and providing a silky, moisturized feel, they can also be tailored to sebum control. This is because of the inherent adaptability of their chemistry. In this case, cross-polymerizing a mixture of dimethicone and vinyl dimethicone results not in a liquid product but in a solid, which can be produced in a micron-sized form known as an elastomer powder.

Silicone elastomer powders for sebum control

Silicone elastomer powders act like micro sponges, soaking up oily fluids like sebum. This results in lasting reductions in sebum levels on the skin. Unlike acne treatments that use active ingredients like salicylic acid to dry out the skin and eliminate acne, silicone elastomer powders manage oil without causing dryness. Controlling sebum can help prevent acne, reducing the need for harsher remedies.

Additionally, these powders are small and spherical, providing a smooth, silky, and cushiony feel. They offer a soft-focus matte effect upon application and are easy to formulate with humectants and other cosmetic ingredients, optimizing moisture levels simultaneously. Like other silicone components, silicone elastomer powders are non-comedogenic and have a long, proven record of safety and efficacy in personal care products.

Silicone elastomer powders a useful component for cosmetics 

The sebum-absorbing properties of silicone elastomer powders, along with their desirable sensory attributes, make them a very useful component of color cosmetics and other skincare products for people with high sebum levels.

The dual function of such products means that they can complement other skincare routines and medical treatments for minimizing the negative consequences of sebum build-up, while at the same time making it easier to mask imperfections or achieve a desired look. And that, especially for those with acne or similar skin conditions, goes a long way to boosting confidence in appearance and enhancing self-esteem.