Benefits of Silicones in BB Cream and Comparison with LipidSoft™

Silicones are widely used in cosmetic formulations like BB creams due to their unique properties that enhance product performance and user experience. You specifically asked about Silicone Gel (Ultra Clear) and Cyclomethicone.

• Silicone Gel (Ultra Clear, Super Silky): This type of silicone gel significantly improves the spreadability of the BB cream, making it easy to apply smoothly and evenly. It provides a soft, silky, light, and non-sticky feel on the skin. It is particularly suitable for liquid foundations, BB, CC, and Cushion formulas as it helps to blur imperfections and gives the skin a soft, matt, and glowing appearance. The crosspolymer component in this type of silicone gel can also contribute to the durability and water/sweat resistance of the product by forming a flexible film on the skin.

• Cyclomethicone (Cyclopentasiloxane): This is a lightweight, volatile silicone that evaporates quickly after application. Its primary role is to provide a light, smooth, and non-sticky feel during application and to act as a carrier for other ingredients, helping them spread easily. While it offers excellent initial slip and a pleasant feel, its volatility means it doesn't provide long-lasting film-forming benefits for durability or water resistance.

In summary, silicones in BB creams do more than just provide a smooth texture. They improve spreadability, skin feel (light, non-sticky, silky), contribute to a blurring or mattifying effect, and certain types (like silicone crosspolymers) can enhance the product's longevity and resistance to water and sweat.

Regarding your question about LipidSoft™, products like LipidSoft™ Cyclo and LipidSoft™ D5 are designed as alternatives or replacements for Cyclomethicone. They aim to provide a similar light, smooth, and volatile feel, improving spreadability without using silicones. However, as the staff mentioned, LipidSoft™ ingredients are chemically different from silicones (they are hydrocarbon-based emollients). While they can replicate some sensory aspects and aid in spreading, they cannot fully replace all the functions of silicones, especially the film-forming properties that provide significant durability, transfer resistance, and water/sweat resistance in makeup formulations. Therefore, while LipidSoft™ can be a good alternative for certain feel and spreadability benefits, it cannot completely substitute silicones when properties like long wear and water resistance are crucial for the BB cream.