What it is
Aminopropyl dimethicone is a polydimethylsiloxane modified with pendant aminopropyl groups. The amino functionality increases the silicone's affinity for skin and hair, so it deposits where needed and forms a smooth, conditioning film with a silky after-feel. It is used to improve spreadability, softness, and surface smoothness in a range of leave-on products.
Safety & warnings
Amino-functional silicones are widely used and generally considered well tolerated and non-irritating in topical use. They are not fragrance allergens, and as silicones they are not categorized as comedogenic oils.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic, an organomodified silicone made by attaching aminopropyl groups to a dimethicone backbone.
Questions everyone asks
What does aminopropyl dimethicone do?
It is a conditioning silicone that forms a smooth film on skin or hair, adding slip, softness, and better spread.
Why add amino groups to dimethicone?
The amino groups give the silicone stronger affinity for the surface, so it conditions more substantively than ordinary dimethicone.