What it is
This ingredient is a dimethicone (silicone) backbone modified with hydroxyethyl groups and esterified with lauric acid. In sunscreen formulas it acts as an emollient and conditioning agent that imparts a smooth, soft slip and improves spreadability, and its mixed silicone-and-fatty-ester character can help compatibilize and stabilize emulsions. It contributes to a light, silky aesthetic.
Safety & warnings
Modified silicone esters of this kind are generally well tolerated, with low irritation and sensitization potential, and are typically non-comedogenic.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic; it is a chemically modified silicone (dimethicone) functionalized with hydroxyethyl groups and a lauric acid ester.
Questions everyone asks
Is hydroxyethyl dimethicone laurate a silicone?
Yes. It is a modified silicone (dimethicone) bearing hydroxyethyl groups and a lauric acid ester.
What does it do in a sunscreen?
It works as an emollient and conditioning agent, adding a smooth, silky feel and helping the formula spread evenly.