In July 2025, the sales volume of "silicone oil microencapsulated essence liquid" launched by Perfect Diary in the first month of listing exceeded 500000 tubes, driving the application of ethyl silicone oil in the cosmetics field to continue to heat up. Data shows that by 2025, the market size of ethyl silicone oil for cosmetics in China will reach 1.2 billion yuan, and the market share of domestic brands will increase from 45% in 2020 to 65%.


Technological iteration: from fillers to functional carriers
Traditional ethyl silicone oil is mainly used as a softener, while the new generation of products achieves functional upgrades through nano modification. The "mesoporous silicone oil microspheres" developed by Shanghai Jahwa and East China University of Science and Technology can load active ingredients such as ceramide and hyaluronic acid, increasing the penetration rate of skincare products by three times. This technology has been applied to brands such as Baicaoji and Nature Hall, with a single product price 200% higher than ordinary products.


Green trend: Natural silicone oil is highly sought after
With the rise of the concept of "pure beauty", plant-based ethyl silicone oil has become a new favorite. The "Corn Straw to Silicone Oil Project", a collaboration between Yunnan Baiyao and the Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, uses enzymatic hydrolysis technology to convert agricultural waste into cosmetic grade raw materials, reducing carbon footprint by 70% compared to traditional processes. The first batch of products has been supplied to brands such as Huaxizi and L'Oreal.


Market segmentation: Male care and medical beauty track erupts
In the field of male care, ethyl silicone oil is widely used in shaving foam, men's face cream and other products because of its refreshing skin feel. The sales of "silicone oil control lotion" launched by Biotherm, a subsidiary of L'Oreal, increased by 180% year on year in the second quarter of 2025. The medical beauty track has also shown impressive performance. Huaxi Biotechnology has developed a "silicone oil filler" that can meet the shaping needs of different parts by regulating its molecular weight and has entered phase III clinical trials.