Dimethicone is a silicone-based ingredient used in many personal care products such as skin and hair care products, primers, foundations, moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, and other skin and hair care products. It is an emollient that gives a silky texture to products, seals hydration, and creates a physical barrier to seal in moisture, keeping skin moisturized and hair frizz-free. It is also noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores. Dimethicone is widely regarded as safe for humans and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an active ingredient.
Here are some positive and negative aspects of dimethicone:
Positive:
- Dimethicone improves the texture of skincare and cosmetic products, giving the skin a plump, hydrated look, and can help to prevent moisture loss.
- It forms a temporary barrier on the skin, providing some protection against contact with irritants or allergens.
- It helps to fill in fine lines and wrinkles, making makeup look even rather than cakey, and gives it a matte finish.
- Dimethicone-containing products may actually help key ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin, allowing them to work more effectively.
Negative:
- There is a lot of controversy over the safety of this ingredient, but there are no safety concerns as it is non-irritating, non-toxic, and doesn’t clog the pores.
- Some people argue that dimethicone reduces the ability of the skin to absorb ‘active’ ingredients from skincare products, but research suggests the opposite.
It is important to note that dimethicone is not the only ingredient in skincare products, and the overall safety and effectiveness of a product depend on the combination of all the ingredients.
