INCI Name: Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Appearance: Ultrafine white powder
Solubility: Dispersible in oils, silicones, esters (not water-soluble)
Usage Rate: 0.5% – 10%
Function: Thickener, oil gelling agent, suspension aid, stabilizer
Silica Dimethyl Silylate is a silica treated with dimethyldichlorosilane to enhance oil compatibility and provide thickening, suspension, and structuring properties in anhydrous or low-water formulations. It is commonly used to create clear oil gels, improve pigment suspension, and stabilize stick or balm textures.
Silica Dimethyl Silylate is a surface-treated, hydrophobic silica powder used to thicken and stabilize oils, esters, and silicones. It creates a 3D network that helps control viscosity, improve structure, and suspend pigments or actives in oil-based systems. It is highly effective in transparent or solid anhydrous formulations where flow and spread must be carefully controlled.
Disperse slowly into oils or silicones under moderate to high shear. Avoid introducing water. Best used in combination with low-viscosity carriers for gel systems or stick formats.
Pre-mix with oil phase ingredients and stir until fully dispersed. May require homogenization or high shear mixing.
It transforms runny oils into smooth, gel-like textures without heavy waxes or gums. This gives products a soft, velvety feel and reduces greasy residue, making oil-based or silicone-rich formulas feel lighter and more elegant.
Yes. Its oil-absorbing properties give a natural matte finish and reduce surface shine, making it ideal for primers, long-wear foundations, and skincare for oily skin types.
Because it suspends pigments evenly and stabilizes volatile solvents like isododecane, it helps create color cosmetics that don’t separate, crease, or smudge. This makes it a go-to for liquid lipsticks, eyeliners, and transfer-resistant base products.
Yes. It helps suspend mineral UV filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, keeping them evenly distributed for more reliable coverage. It also prevents separation in formulas with suspended actives.
Yes. It builds clear-to-translucent gels in oil or silicone systems, which formulators use for dry-touch serums, anhydrous gel moisturizers, or even transparent stick formats.
Untreated fumed silica is hydrophilic and less compatible with oils, while waxes often feel heavy and occlusive. Silica Dimethyl Silylate is surface-treated to be hydrophobic, which makes it better at gelling oils, stabilizing pigments, and delivering luxury sensory effects in silicone-heavy systems.
This usually happens when the oil blend is too polar or contains too much alcohol. It builds networks best in non-polar oils, esters, silicones, or solvents like isododecane. Reducing ethanol content or switching to more compatible carriers often fixes the issue.
Graininess means the silica wasn’t fully dispersed. It needs proper pre-wetting in the oil phase and high-shear mixing to build a smooth gel. Increasing dispersion time or shear, or adding it more gradually, usually eliminates the problem.
Yes, overuse can kill radiance. If the finish looks flat, reduce the percentage slightly or balance the system with lightweight esters or silicones like dimethicone. This restores slip while keeping the stability benefits.
