What Is Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate?
Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate is a hybrid ingredient that pairs silicone with olive oil. On one side you have PEG-8 dimethicone, a water dispersible form of the well-known silicone dimethicone. On the other you have the fatty acids that come from pressed olive fruit. Chemists join the two through an esterification process that links the silicone to the olive oil fractions, creating a stable liquid that spreads easily on skin and hair.
Silikones began gaining popularity in beauty care during the 1950s for their silky feel and water resistance. Brands later looked for ways to make them more compatible with water-based formulas, which led to PEG-modified versions like PEG-8 dimethicone. Combining this with olive oil’s conditioning fatty acids offered the best of both worlds and Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate started appearing in product launches in the early 2000s.
The ingredient is produced in specialized cosmetic labs. First, olive oil is split into its fatty acid components. These acids are then reacted with PEG-8 dimethicone under controlled heat and vacuum. The finished material is filtered, tested for purity and shipped as a clear to pale yellow fluid.
You will most often spot Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate in rinse-out and leave-in hair conditioners, smoothing serums, curl-defining creams, facial moisturizers, lightweight lotions, overnight masks, BB creams and anti-aging formulas that aim for a velvety finish.
Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Formulators reach for this dual-action ingredient because it cares for both hair and skin while improving the feel of a product.
- Hair conditioning: Forms a breathable film that helps detangle strands, reduce frizz and add a soft glossy look without weighing hair down. The olive oil portion offers light nourishment while the silicone portion provides slip and heat protection, making styling easier.
- Skin conditioning: Smooths the skin surface, fills in fine texture gaps and leaves a silky after-feel that is neither greasy nor sticky. It can also help lock in moisture and boost spreadability so creams and lotions glide on evenly.
Who Can Use Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate
This ingredient is generally considered friendly for most skin types. Dry, normal and combination skin can enjoy the light moisturizing and smoothing effect while oily skin often tolerates it because the film it leaves behind is thin and non-greasy. People with very sensitive or silicone-reactive skin may want to keep an eye on how their skin feels, as any film-forming agent might occasionally trap heat or sweat and cause redness in those with a tendency toward irritation.
Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate is made from olive oil and lab-made silicone so it contains no animal-derived matter, making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Cruelty policies vary by brand so shoppers who avoid animal testing should still check the company stance.
No specific warnings exist for pregnant or breastfeeding women. The ingredient stays on the outer layer of skin and is not known to enter the bloodstream in meaningful amounts. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should show the full product list to a doctor before use to be safe.
The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity and can be worn during the day without raising the risk of sunburn. It also plays well with most other common skincare actives and preservatives, so layering it with other products rarely causes problems.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to any cosmetic ingredient can differ from person to person. The points below describe potential side effects but most users experience none of them when the ingredient is properly formulated in a finished product.
- Mild skin irritation – a small number of users may notice itching or redness, usually due to personal sensitivity to silicones or the product’s overall formula
- Clogged pores in acne-prone skin – while the ingredient itself is considered low on the clogging scale, any film-forming agent can trap dead skin and oil if cleansing habits are not thorough
- Build-up on hair – repeated use without occasional clarifying shampoos may leave hair feeling weighed down or coated
- Contact allergy – rare but possible, showing up as rash or swelling that resolves after discontinuation
If any unwanted reaction occurs stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate sits at the low end of the comedogenic scale because its silicone backbone is a large inert molecule that rests on the skin surface rather than seeping into pores. The olive-derived fatty acids are esterified to the silicone, which makes them less likely to oxidize or clog follicles compared with free oils. Finished formulas usually include this ingredient at modest levels and in combination with lightweight emulsifiers, further reducing any risk of blockage.
Suitable for acne-prone skin in most cases, provided the overall product is non-occlusive and proper cleansing is followed.
The comedogenic outcome always depends on the entire formula, so a rich balm with waxes and butters could still feel heavy even if this single ingredient is low on the scale.
Summary
Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate conditions hair and skin by forming a thin protective film that boosts slip, tames frizz, fills in surface roughness and helps lock in moisture. The silicone half brings smoothness and water resistance while the olive-based half adds a touch of nourishing fatty acids, giving products a lightweight velvety finish.
It is a niche but steadily used ingredient, most common in mid-range leave-in conditioners, BB creams and light moisturizers where formulators want silicone performance without a greasy feel.
Safety profiles rate it as low irritation, low comedogenicity and non-sensitizing for the vast majority of users. As with any new cosmetic, doing a small patch test when trying a product that contains Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate is the easiest way to confirm personal compatibility.