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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE COVER STORY: DOW


Hybrid elastomer gel refined for the senses


Elastomer gels have been a cornerstone of exceptional beauty and personal care formulations since their introduction in the 1990s, prized for their ability to offer smoothness, blur, cushion and distinctive sensorial appeal. Today, this category continues to outpace the growth of the overall beauty industry, driven by consumer demand for elevated textures and visible performance. However, the elastomer landscape is


undergoing a significant transformation. While performance and sensory are non-negotiable, regulatory pressure, rising sustainability expectations and the push toward bio-based alternatives are redefining what ‘premium’ means.


Innovation challenges and market desires Brand owners today face a complex balancing act. They must innovate under tightening regulatory frameworks, particularly for products sold in the European Union, while meeting rising expectations around naturality, biodegradability and carbon footprint reduction. At the same time, they cannot afford to


compromise on sensory differentiation, visual effects or formulation robustness, all of which are key to brand equity and consumer loyalty. Consumers, meanwhile, are increasingly


sophisticated. They expect luxurious textures, effortless spreadability, soft focus effects and immediate sensorial gratification, paired with transparent sustainability credentials and regulatory reassurance. In this environment, innovation depends on


having access to a wide spectrum of elastomer technologies, allowing brand owners to select the right solutions to deliver uncompromised performance, credibility, and consumer relevance. Hybrid technologies represent the next evolution and add another option to the expanding portfolio available to formulators, making collaboration with suppliers offering this comprehensive elastomer offerings increasingly critical. DOWSIL™ EL-9400 Hybrid Elastomer Blend


marks a new generation of elastomers, combining silicone elastomer benefits with higher naturality. With a bio-based carbon content of 97%,


alongside smooth and powdery sensory attributes NS T0 MAY 2026 PERSONAL VOL 27 ISSUE 5


Global ingredient innovation trends


Skin longevity in the digital age


SCIENCE- DRIVEN SOOTHING


Next-generation approach for advancing sensitive skin solutions


typical of traditional silicone elastomer gels, it also provides a distinctive enveloping and comfort feel to the skin. DOWSIL™ EL-9400 Hybrid Elastomer Blend is designed for modern skin care, sun care and colour cosmetics that combine refined sensorial properties with evolving formulation expectations.


A texture built to transform DOWSIL™ EL-9400 Hybrid Elastomer Blend is engineered to offer exceptional performance at the intersection of nature and nurture. Its innovative hybrid elastomer structure combines biosourced raw materials with successful silicone


TABLE 1: Timetable


Neat Skin (NS) Time 0


Time 15min Time 1h Time 6h


Average reduction vs. NS


Number of fine pores


203 8 4


22 52


83% T 1h


Number of large pores


69 0 1


3 5


80%


Shear-thinning, thixotropic behavior of neat DOWSIL™ EL-9400 Hybrid Elastomer Blend


technology, uniting sustainability (nature) with performance (nurture). The hybrid elastomer is delivered in a bio- based and biodegradable carrier fluid, helping enable high bio-based carbon content while supporting increased natural origin claims without compromising formulation integrity. This advanced composition offers the desirable


sensory profile of traditional silicone elastomers, complemented by enhanced compatibility, soft- focus, and long-lasting performance. DOWSIL™ EL-9400 Hybrid Elastomer Blend is


a shear-thinning, thixotropic material. The initial viscosity of this product can be easily reduced through hand mixing or dilution while formulating. Its ease of use allows it to be handled and


formulated using the same processes long established for conventional silicone elastomer blends, supporting seamless integration into sun care, skin care, and colour cosmetic formulations.


Blurring imperfections, not performance Silicone Elastomer Blends have the ability to offer a matte finish to skin and a soft focus/blur effect, which helps to mask optically fine lines or pores and gives the skin a smooth and even finish. The blurring effect will depend on the amount of light scattered or reflected from the interface where the cosmetic formulation is applied onto the skin.


T 6h


Figure 1: Nude primer base evaluated on a panelist’s cheek over time, with pore-masking benefits quantified using VisioFace 1000 D image analysis PERSONAL CARE MAGAZINE May 2026


www.personalcaremagazine.com


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