Dimethicone/cycomethicone?

What the heck are dimethicone and cyclomethicone?  They are unmodified silicones.

The following is directly from this website:

http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/silicone_use.html

“Silicone
Use with Skin and Hair

Unmodified
silicones stay on or near the surface of the skin. Not only are the
molecules
too big to physically enter past the upper living cells — they
associate with the upper layer
of drying skin — but they also cannot penetrate cell membranes due
to their large size. They
also dislike both the water and proteins inside cells.


Cyclomethicones are unmodified silicones. They evaporate quickly after
helping to
carry oils into the top layer of epidermis. From
there, they may be absorbed by the skin.
Cyclomethicones a similar function in hair care
products by helping nutrients enter the hair shaft.

Dimethicones
are also unmodified silicones. They form a barrier layer on the skin
which
must be renewed as the skin sloughs off.
Dimethicones coat the surface of the hair and
lubricate it, improving combing providing detangling,
and thus, hair loss and breakage.

Silicones
form a protective layer which helps prevent transdermal water loss — a
very
useful characteristic for many products. Silicone gums
provide instant shine to hair.
Silicones act to help seal moisture into the hair,
which helps prevent many kinds of damage. “

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What are Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, and Sodium Lactate?  They are emollients and humectants.

The following is directly from this website.
http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/emollients_and_humectants.html

“What are emollients
and humectants?

Emollients are ingredients
that soften and soothe the skin. They may be naturally occuring, such as
fixed oils and glycerin, or they made be man made, such as silicone oils
or isopropyl myristate. Their moisturizing qualities are provided by the
chemical composition of the material itself.

Generally, emollients are
added to such products as creams and lotions to provide extra
moisturization or to help relax fine lines and wrinkles.

Humectants also soften and
soothe the skin. They are usually derived from vegetable oils, but can
be man made. Humectants derive their moisturizing abilities from water
which they pull from the nearest available source. “

———–

While I might be able to give out a tidbit of information regarding some ingredient or technique I recommend everyone do their own research.  I don't know everything and won't ever claim to know everything! 

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