Hexyl Methicone

AKA: 3-hexylheptamethyltrisiloxane, 428-700-5, 1873-90-1, 3-hexyl-1, 1, 3, 5, 5-heptamethyltrisiloxane, Trisiloxane, Hexyl-methyl-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)silane
Synthetic
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Silicone
Not Clean
Poly[oxy(hexylmethylsilylene)],.alpha.-trimethylsilyl),.omega.-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-
Formula
C13H34O2Si3
Mol. Weight
306.66
CAS #
56746-86-2
Form
Liquid
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A silicone-based ingredient developed in the 20th century for cosmetics. Designed to provide conditioning properties and improve the feel of skincare and hair care products.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR