Key Ingredients and Their Functions

• Talc: Talc powder is commonly used in cosmetic formulations, especially in powders. Different types are available, including those coated with Methicone or Silane to enhance softness, smoothness, and water resistance. Uncoated talc is also available. Talc provides whiteness and a soft texture.
• Mica: Mica powder is used in makeup products to add softness, lightness, and natural skin coverage. Like talc, it can be coated (e.g., with Methicone or Silane) to improve its texture, dispersibility, and coverage properties.
• Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA): Ingredients like SoftTouch™ are types of PMMA powder. They are designed to be highly translucent and provide a soft, smooth feel to products. PMMA can also help with light scattering, which can camouflage the appearance of wrinkles, and can aid in the compression of pressed powders.
• Dimethicone: Dimethicone is a silicone-based ingredient that provides a soft and smooth feel to the skin without being sticky. It is used in products containing oils, such as creams and hair conditioners, to give a "slip skin feel." Various viscosities are available, offering different textures from ultra-light to heavy.
• Silica: Silica can serve multiple functions. Anti-Caking Silica helps absorb moisture in powder formulations to prevent clumping and extend shelf life. UltraBlur™ Silica is specially processed to provide a skin-blurring effect. SiliSilk™ is a silicone powder combined with Silica, known for its exceptional softness and smoothness, used to enhance the texture of makeup and skincare products and provide a soft-focus effect.

These ingredients are often combined in formulations to achieve desired textures, finishes, and performance characteristics in cosmetic products like powders, creams, and makeup.