Givaudan Active Beauty unveils SensoTrue DM5™, a bioptimised alternative to DM5 silicone for professional hair care
Leveraging biotechnology to redefine silicone substitutes through professional performance, naturality and formulation versatility
Givaudan Active Beauty introduces SensoTrue DM5™, a bio-based emollient developed via a combination of white biotechnology and green chemistry as an alternative to 5 cSt dimethicone (DM5 silicone). It pairs premium sensory performance with a significantly improved environmental profile, delivering the luxurious feel that consumers expect from silicones whilst supporting the beauty industry's shift towards more sustainable formulations.
For decades, silicones have set the standard for softness, shine and smoothness in hair care. Today, growing environmental concerns, evolving regulations and increasing consumer demand for naturally derived ingredients are reshaping this benchmark, driving the search for alternatives that do not compromise on sensory experience or efficacy.
SensoTrue DM5™ addresses this challenge through an innovative emollient complex engineered from renewable sugarcane and upcycled pine terpenes. Its unique multi-molecular alkane architecture, combined with complementary polymeric emollients, acts on three complementary levels:
- Low molecular weight volatile alkanes mimic cyclopentasiloxane by spreading evenly across the hair before evaporating cleanly, for smooth, uniform coverage without residue.
- Mid molecular weight non-volatile alkanes penetrate the cortex to provide long-lasting hydration, while strengthening the hair fibre from within.
- High molecular weight polymeric emollients form a lightweight, flexible film that smooths the cuticle, reduces friction and controls frizz, delivering silicone-like conditioning without any build-up.
”SensoTrue DM5™ demonstrates how biotechnology can open up new possibilities for high-performance, naturally derived hair care ingredients. By combining renewable resources, green chemistry and advanced molecular design, we are enabling brands to meet consumer expectations for a premium hair care experience, without compromising on their environmental commitments.”
Fabrice Lefèvre, Innovation and Marketing Director
”These performance claims are supported by instrumental testing. SensoTrue DM5™ delivers a significant improvement in hair performance: 60% less wet combing force, 24% less frizz and 42% less flyaway, outperforming both 5 cSt dimethicone and D5 across all three parameters1.”
Ricky Ho, Senior Category Manager
Consumer testing confirms these instrumental results. Over 85% of women perceived visible efficacy after just one application, up to 88% of women felt their hair was healthier after 10 days, and up to 92% of women expressed high satisfaction with the SensoTrue DM5™ routine2.
Suitable for shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, leave-in treatments and styling products, SensoTrue DM5™ offers formulators broad versatility. Its odourless, colourless and preservative-free profile allows for seamless integration across multiple hair care formats.
SensoTrue DM5™ marks a significant milestone in hair care innovation, combining proven silicone-like performance with a bio-based, upcycled composition, setting a new reference for the next generation of high-performance formulations.
To learn more about our new ingredient and its inspirational concept, S3D® In Motion, we invite you to visit us at booth #S11 at in-cosmetics Asia, taking place in Bangkok from 3–5 November 2026. Alternatively, you can visit uxbeauty.givaudan.com, our digital platform dedicated to cosmetic ingredients.
Instrumental testing conducted on European hair. Compared with placebo.
10-day home usage test conducted among 199 women aged 18–55 (99 Brazilian and 100 Indonesian women) using a hair regimen featuring SensoTrue DM5™ at 2.5%.
About Givaudan
Givaudan is a global leader in Fragrance & Beauty and Taste & Wellbeing. We celebrate the beauty of human experience by creating for happier, healthier lives with love for nature. Together with our customers we deliver food experiences, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions that make people look and feel good. In 2025, Givaudan employed over 17,500 people worldwide and achieved CHF 7.5 billion in sales with a free cash flow of 14.1%. With a heritage that stretches back over 250 years, we are committed to driving long-term, sustainable growth by improving people’s health and happiness and increasing our positive impact on nature. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Discover more at: www.givaudan.com.
About Givaudan Fragrance & Beauty
Givaudan Fragrance & Beauty crafts inspired fragrances to perfume lives and memories, and develops innovative beauty and wellbeing solutions that make people look and feel good all over the world. Nature is both our responsibility and our most precious muse. We are just as committed to sustainability as we are to creating innovative products that satisfy consumer needs and anticipate their desires. With a collaborative approach that favours co-creation, we have built a diverse portfolio across personal care, fabric care, hygiene, home care, fine fragrances, and beauty, reflecting our multidisciplinary expertise. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Learn more at www.givaudan.com/fragrance-beauty.
About Givaudan Active Beauty
Givaudan Active Beauty crafts avant-garde cosmetic actives and high-end specialties that make people look and feel good. We bring nature’s most precious gifts to the art of personal care in the form of biotech & botanical high-performing molecules, delighting consumers. Our extensive portfolio of award-winning skin & hair ingredients spans a variety of benefits for human beauty: from well-ageing and self-tanners to radiance, microbiome-friendly, soothers, hydrators, and more. Backed by solid scientific recognition and consumers’ awareness, we remain at the cutting edge of this rapidly expanding market to deliver sustainable solutions supporting the growth of our customers. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Learn more at www.givaudan.com/fragrance-beauty/active-beauty.
For further information please contact
Agathe Parent, Active Beauty Communication Manager
E agathe.parent@givaudan.com