- ▸ Emollient: Silicone-based skin and hair emollient
- ▸ Conditioning agent: Smooths and softens in personal-care systems
- ▸ Water-repellent film: Imparts a hydrophobic, long-wearing finish
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Cetyl methicone is an alkyl-modified silicone (a cetyl-substituted polydimethylsiloxane). It is used as an emollient and conditioning agent in cosmetic and personal-care formulations, where it provides a silky, water-repellent film.
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU): Not determined from public registry
- EC number: 688-274-3
TSCA Inventory flag XU: a substance exempt from reporting under the Chemical Data Reporting Rule (40 CFR 711) (EPA flag legend).
TSCA Inventory flag PMN: a commenced PMN (premanufacture notice) substance (EPA flag legend).
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Is methicone the same as dimethicone?
No. They are related silicones but structurally distinct: dimethicone is polydimethylsiloxane, while methicone-type silicones carry methyl-hydrogen siloxane units. Cetyl methicone is an alkyl-modified silicone (a cetyl-substituted polydimethylsiloxane), different again. They are separate INCI materials.
What is cetyl methicone used for?
Cetyl methicone is an alkyl-modified silicone used as an emollient and conditioning agent in cosmetic and personal-care formulations. It imparts a silky, water-repellent, long-wearing film. RawSource supplies it in bulk for formulators.
What is cetyl methicone?
It is a cetyl (C16 alkyl)-substituted polydimethylsiloxane, i.e., a silicone whose backbone is modified with long-chain alkyl groups. This structure gives it both silicone slip and emollient, hydrophobic film-forming behavior in personal-care systems.
Is cetyl methicone soluble in water?
As an alkyl-modified silicone it is hydrophobic and not water-soluble; it is oil/silicone-phase soluble and imparts a water-repellent film. Formulate it into the oil or silicone phase. Confirm specifics against the technical data sheet for your grade.
What documentation and packaging does RawSource provide for cetyl methicone?
It typically ships as a fluid in pails, drums, or totes depending on volume, with HS classification generally under 391000 (silicones in primary forms). A CoA and SDS accompany each lot. Submit a bulk RFQ for current pricing.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Cetyl Methicone?
Cetyl Methicone (CAS 191044-49-2) is listed as Active on the U.S. EPA TSCA Inventory; its REACH registration status is not determined from the public ECHA registry.