Technical Problem Solving

Siloxane & Alternatives: Formulating for Compliance & Efficacy

Siloxane & Alternatives: Formulating for Compliance & Efficacy
Language: English
Length: 90 min
May 14, 2025 03:00 PM
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Course Description

Optimize your current siloxane formulations - learn when to keep, reduce, or replace siloxanes to meet evolving regulatory and market demands without sacrificing performance. With upcoming EU restrictions on D4, D5, and D6, rethink your approach to ensure compliance while maintaining aesthetics, spreadability, and sensory appeal.


Join industry expert Eric Abrutyn to gain practical strategies and formulation insights:


  • Navigate evolving regulations – Stay ahead of the 2026 EU restrictions on D4, D5, and D6, and learn how they impact different applications.
  • Strategic reduction techniques – Discover how to minimize siloxane content while maintaining product performance, compliance, and consumer acceptance
  • Smart replacement strategies – Explore viable non-siloxane alternatives that deliver similar aesthetics, feel, and functionality.
  • Real-world formulation insights – See how leading brands are adapting with case studies and formulation examples across skincare, hair care, sun care, and deodorants.
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Eric Abrutyn
Eric Abrutyn
TPC2 Advisors Ltd.
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Eric Abrutyn is a graduate of New York University-New Paltz with a Masters in Chemistry and of C.W. Post College/Long Island University with a B.S. in Chemistry.

He has over 45 years of experience in the personal care cosmetics industry. Eric is a member of the Technical Advisory Board and past-contributing editor for Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine. He is also contributing author and instructor for SpecialChem, and is a 20 yr member (and past chair) of the International Nomenclature Committee (INC)—part of Personal Care Products Council’s (formerly CTFA).

Eric has actively participated in the Society of Cosmetic Chemist for over 40 years, serving as Chair of Midwest and Ohio Valley chapters, Area II Director, Editor of New York Cosmetiscope, and various positions at the local and national level.


In 2009, Eric Abrutyn established a consulting firm – TPC2Advisor’s Ltd., Inc., utilizing his extensive and diverse experience to focus on supporting clientele in the areas of-

  • Antiperspirant technology, application, and performance testing.
  • Siloxane technology/applications and replacement products.
  • Skin and hair care formulation and product performance testing, and technology/marketing assessment.
  • Personal Care Cosmetic labeling with specific emphasis on INC nomenclature and registration, and Technology Strategic planning and Ideation.
  • Strategic communication to clients and customers

    Besides working as Senior Principle Scientist for Kao Brands, Eric has worked for Dow Corning as a Senior Technical Service Scientist in the field of silicone chemistry, and Wickhen Products as Director of R&D in the field of antiperspirants, esterification, spray drying, free-radical polymerization, and controlled release. He has contributed broadly in the fields of hair care research, skin care product development & underarm product development.

    Eric holds over 15 patent; he is contributing editor/author for 4 book; teaches courses in siloxane technology & application, and antiperspirant/deodorant technology, application & and product performance. He is author of many technical articles, and numerous presentations in the field of antiperspirants, polymerization, controlled release, and silicone applications.
Why should you view this course?

While siloxane chemistry remains essential in cosmetics, the industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce or replace it due to evolving regulations and shifting market expectations. The challenge? Maintaining the same level of performance, spreadability, and sensory experience without siloxanes—or at least with a reduced amount.

This course provides a practical roadmap to help you navigate this transition strategically. You’ll learn how to optimize siloxane use, meet compliance requirements, and explore viable alternatives that align with both performance and consumer expectations.

  1. Understand the unique chemical and physical attributes of methyl siloxy siloxane technologies and how they differ from carbon-based alternatives in terms of volatility, spreadability, and performance.

  2. Navigate the latest EU regulatory changes affecting siloxane use, and restrictions on D4, D5, and D6, and develop strategies to stay compliant while maintaining product quality.

  3. Optimize siloxane use in formulations—learn when to reduce, replace, or modify siloxane content to meet regulatory and market demands without compromising aesthetics or functionality.

  4. Find the right non-siloxane alternatives based on formulation needs, ensuring minimal reformulation challenges while maintaining sensory experience and stability.

  5. Gain formulation insights from real-world applications, exploring how leading brands are adapting siloxane technologies across key personal care categories, including skincare, sun care, hair care, antiperspirants, cleansers, and facial makeup.

Who should join this course?
  • Formulating chemists who are looking to enhance their current formulations and find alternatives to siloxanes.

  • Marketing and ingredient suppliers who want to better position their non-siloxanes in the market.

  • R&D engineers looking to delve into non-siloxanes for their cosmetic products.

  • Complete the course and (unlock your personalized certificate)– your badge of accomplishment awaits!

  • This course is suitable for intermediate level proficiency
    Intermediate
Course Outline

General Introduction

  1. Chemical and physical properties of Silicon-Oxygen technology
  2. Comparison to Carbon-Carbon technology (physical properties, molecular orientation, surface tension, compatibilities...)

Global Regulatory constraints, Trends

  1. EU regulations on D4, D5, D6
  2. Market-driven shifts towards non-siloxane formulations

How to Reduce Siloxanes in Formulations

  1. Strategies to lower siloxane content while maintaining aesthetics and performance
  2. Adjusting formulation structures for compatibility with lower siloxane levels

Non-Siloxane Technologies and Replacement Strategies

  1. When and why to reduce or replace siloxanes based on regulatory, market, and performance needs
  2. Key ingredient alternatives and their impact on formulation stability and aesthetics

Selection Guide for each chemical classification

  1. (Silicon-Oxygen)-Carbon chemical classification vs. Carbon-Carbon chemical classification

Commercial Examples for key consumer categories (e.g., Antiperspirant/Deodorant Sticks, Gel, Roll-On, Facial Cleansers, Suncare Emulsions/Sticks/Spray, Skin/Hair Aesthetic Enhancers)

  1. Functional Siloxane technology usage
  2. Non-siloxane technologies replacement
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30 min Q & As for this course
Interact directly with your tutor and clarify your doubts
  1. 30 mins per session for Questions and Answers
  2. Clarify your doubts.
  3. If your questions are not answered, dont worry you will recieve tutor’s reply via email after sessions.
Siloxane & Alternatives: Formulating for Compliance & Efficacy
€299
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