Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5)
Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) is an odorless, colorless non-oily siloxane fluid used as an ingredient in personal care products and dry cleaning.
In personal care products, D5 acts as a "carrier," allowing products to spread smoothly and easily, providing a silky, luxurious feel during application. In dry cleaning, D5 carries detergent to clothes and rinses away suspended dirt and oils trapped by the detergent. It does not interact with textiles and therefore helps maintain the quality and color of clothes that are dry cleaned.
D5 is among the most extensively studied materials used in consumer and industrial applications. More than 50 studies have been conducted and the data support that D5 is safe when used as intended.
For more information about the safety and uses of D5, please see the following:
- SEHSC Fact Sheet - Safety of D5
- SEHSC Fact Sheet - D5 in dry cleaning
- SEHSC Fact Sheet - D5 Environmental Fate and Effects
For more information on the industry's voluntary health research programs, see Siloxane Research Program.