According to Givaudan Active Beauty, SensoTrue DM5 pairs premium sensory performance with a significantly improved environmental profile, compared to silicones. This supports the cosmetics industry’s shift towards more sustainable formulations without compromising on performance.

Renewable and upcycled materials

For decades, silicones have set the standard for softness, shine and smoothness in hair care. However, 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. Givaudan Active Beauty has brought this approach to life with an emollient complex made from renewable sugarcane and upcycled pine terpenes.

SensoTrue DM5 combines a unique multi-molecular alkane architecture with several polymeric emollients to deliver three distinct yet complementary benefits:

  • Low-molecular-weight volatile alkanes mimic the spreading properties of cyclopentasiloxane, distributing evenly across the hair before evaporating cleanly. The result is smooth, uniform coverage without residue.
  • Mid-molecular-weight non-volatile alkanes penetrate the hair cortex to provide long-lasting hydration while helping strengthen the hair fiber 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 build-up.

For Fabrice Lefèvre, Innovation and Marketing Director at Givaudan Active Beauty, SensoTrue DM5 showcases how biotechnology can combine natural origins with high performance. "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," he said.

Performance backed by testing

The performance claims were substantiated by various instrumental test results.

“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 parameters [1]”, says Ricky Ho, Senior Category Manager at Givaudan Active Beauty.

Consumer testing confirms the instrumental results. According to Givaudan, 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 routine [2].

Illustrative hair care collection

SensoTrue DM5 is a preservative-free, odorless and colorless emollient suitable for a wide range of haircare applications, including shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, leave-in treatments and styling products.

To demonstrate its versatility, Givaudan Active Beauty has developed the S3D In Motion Responsive Haircare concept, a collection of three formulations starring SensoTrue DM5.

The range comprises a hair and scalp oil (Live Definition), a styling gel (Bare Texture) and a leave-in spray (Pure Shine), respectively designed to provide nourishment, styling and shine while allowing hair to move freely.