An organosiloxane called octamethyltrisiloxane is a trisiloxane in which all the hydrogen atoms have been exchanged for methyl groups. Trisiloxane surfactants, also known as polyetherdimethylsiloxanes (PEMS), are superspreaders or superwetters and are added to cosmetics to increase the activity of the active ingredients by facilitating rapid spreading. Trisiloxane is a clear, colorless, volatile, and easily spreadable fluid functioning mainly as a defoamer.
Safety profile
Trisiloxane has received a score of 2 on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) skin-deep scoring scale. Despite having some hazard profile issues, the chemical has passed the Safer Choice Criteria for its functional ingredient-class. It is recognized by Health Canada as an acceptable non-medicinal ingredient in natural health products where it can be used as an antifoaming and skin-conditioning agent and is listed in the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID). It may result in liver changes and short-term discomfort and redness if it comes in contact with eyes.