Givaudan launches bio-based silicone alternative for hair care

· Beauty & Fashion · France

Givaudan Active Beauty has unveiled SensoTrue DM5, a new bio-based emollient positioned as an alternative to 5 cSt dimethicone, commonly known as DM5 silicone, in hair care formulations. The ingredient was developed through a combination of white biotechnology and green chemistry, according to Premium Beauty News. The company says the emollient is designed to move with the hair rather than coat it, allowing formulators to build hair care products that deliver a responsive feel. The launch targets a growing demand among brands and consumers for silicone-free or reduced-silicone hair care. Dimethicone is one of the most widely used conditioning agents in shampoos, conditioners and styling products, and suppliers have been under pressure to offer plant- or fermentation-derived replacements that match its sensory performance. The immediate effect is a new option for brands reformulating products around natural-origin claims.

Why it matters：Ingredient suppliers are racing to replace silicones as formulators face consumer and regulatory pressure on synthetic conditioning agents, and a credible DM5 alternative could reshape hair care formulations across mass and prestige brands.

Key points

  • SensoTrue DM5 is positioned as a drop-in alternative to 5 cSt dimethicone in hair care.
  • It was developed using white biotechnology and green chemistry.
  • Givaudan says it moves with the hair rather than coating it.

Sources (original reporting)

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