You've probably noticed that it's almost impossible to find skincare, makeup, or hair care products that don't have dimethicone in the ingredients. Let's look at why it's present in many products, and why you should be concerned.
So, What is Dimethicone?
Also known as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), dimethicone is a silicone-based polymer. That is, it's a silicone oil with specific properties that make skincare products have a smooth, velvety, silky feel. These properties make it a popular ingredient in personal care products.
WHY IS IT USED IN SKINCARE?
Dimethicone is a favorite among manufacturers as it provides a smooth application. This means that skincare products (such as primers, foundations, and lotions) fill in uneven texture and fine lines. It also provides a protective layer on the skin, that helps lock in moisture.
WHAT ABOUT HAIR CARE?
Dimethicone is used in hair care products to provide smoothness and reduce friction during combing. It's found in conditioners and detanglers. Dimethicone leaves a sort of coating on the hair strands, giving hair a surface sheen.
Safety
Several regulatory bodies have classified dimethicone as safe for human use. The FDA approved it for personal care products. The Skin Deep Database gives this ingredient a low hazard rating. Also, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) concluded that it was safe for cosmetic use upon evaluating scientific data. The only possible side effects listed are slight irritation, dryness, and allergic reactions.
Even though scientifically it may not cause cancer, it's not an ingredient we would advise you to use every day on your skin!
Concerns
Dimethicone covers the skin. Manufacturers say it's a benefit (protective layer), but we don't. Imagine having a rubber-like cover on your face all day. That doesn't sound healthy.
This layer interferes with the skin's natural processes like sweating and shedding of dead skin cells.
DRYING, DEPENDENCY, AND IRRITATION
Prolonged use of dimethicone-laden products can increase skin irritation and create dependency. Just as with petroleum jelly, dimethicone interferes with the natural hydrating processes. Eventually, it dries your skin the more you use it, aggravating fine lines and wrinkles.
EXACERBATES ACNE
If you've noticed an increase in breakouts while using products with dimethicone, here's why. The chemical traps bacteria, sebum, and other impurities underneath the skin. It's also claimed that it clogs pores and exacerbates acne.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Apart from causing harm to the human body, dimethicone is a non-biodegradable environmental pollutant.
What Should You Do?
Avoiding this chemical is the way to go. However, it gets complicated because you'll find it and it's variants in thousands of products.
GO NATURAL!
Buy your skincare products from conscientious manufacturers who use organic, nourishing ingredients in their products. Side note: Dimethicone is less likely to cause adverse effects when used on the hair. Just avoid soaking in it (as in a bath).
Wondering where to start? Sole Toscana Skincare stays away from dimethicone and other silicones, including:
- Methicone
- Dimethicone
- Cyclomethicone
- Dimethiconol
- Phenyl trimethicone
- Dimethicone copolyol
Head over to our website for various organic products that are 100% natural and certified organic by EU standards. We don't use any artificial fragrances or chemicals.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Skincare Team
