I had been reading some online forums from various sources recently about silicones in skincare and beauty products and how they are bad for the skin. I have been curious about it for a while, because this discussion about whether silicone is good or bad for the skin has been going on for some time.
Silicone is a chemically derived product with occlusive qualities. What this means in terms of skincare is that covers the skin to protect and keep the moisture in. By doing so, silicone also fills in uneven skin texture like fine lines and acne scars so it gives the illusion of great skin when foundation is applied over it. This is why most makeup primers in the market will contain silicones because it helps the primer do its work i.e. prime the skin for makeup.
To identify silicone in a product, look for Dimethicone or methicone in the ingredient list (definition). In fact, the general rule of thumb is that anything ending in “cone” is likely to be silicone. Opinions however are divided as to whether silicone is indeed good or bad for the skin.
Silicone is good for the skin
Proponents of the use of Silicone in skincare say that silicone is not bad for the skin. The molecules in Dimethicone are too large to penetrate into the skin layers and only sit on top of the skin. By having this silicone layer on top of the skin, the skin moisture is prevented from escaping, thus helping keep the skin moisturized. Silicone in skincare is also supposed to be better for those with sensitive skin due to this occlusive nature and it does not irritate the skin nor does it cause acne.
In the beauty world, Dimethicone is commonly used in primers and liquid foundations because it fills up imperfections in the skin and creates a smooth canvas for the foundation to go on. Just think of putting on makeup like painting a wall and you’ll get the general idea. If you use long wearing or waterproof makeup, chances are is that it contains silicones too because silicone repels water and sweat. (source) Silicones are also present in oil-control or mattifying products so you will notice that some products with silicone give a matte look to the skin. I reckon it is because it is holding the oil in under the layer of silicone so you don’t notice it so much.
In hair products, silicone is commonly found in hair serums and conditioners. It is what gives that shine to the hair and makes it feel smooth and soft. The principle is pretty much the same. The silicone coats the hair so it feels and looks soft and smooth.
Silicone is bad for the skin
On the other side of the fence are the detractors who say that silicones are in fact bad for the skin. Because the silicone sits in a layer on top of the skin keeping in moisture, it also keeps in any sebum, dirt and bacteria that may already be on the skin. Once the skin is irritated, it will breakout. So, it is common to hear people say that silicones in products break them out. (source)
Also, prolonged use of silicones may also lead to allergic reactions and may cause sensitive skin to react adversely. So, eczema flareups may occur and on the face acne or spots will form. I thought about it and this may be one of the reasons why my hair conditioner caused my acne. Also, large doses of silicone can be toxic.
Some people who complain that certain skincare serums or moisturizers break them out, or that they have foundations or primers causing spots and acne may be allergic to silicones or react to them.
Should I avoid products with Silicone?
On a personal note, I think avoiding products with silicone in them is not so easy. So many products these days have some element of silicone in it – the question is how much silicone will irritate your skin. However, if you find that certain products that contain silicone ingredients break you out, then you might want to stop using it and any other product containing silicone altogether.
I believe that the large majority of the population can tolerate silicone in products to a degree, depending on its quantity found in the product in question. In my case, I don’t really have very sensitive skin and I find that most products, even those containing silicone don’t cause breakouts. In my regular skincare routine, I’ve discovered that silicones are present in the Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost, Eucerin White Solution Sunscreen, Olay Total Effects moisturizer and Eucerin Hydro-Balance Refreshing Cream. However, these 4 products work well for me and I have no intention of discontinuing their use for now.
By contrast, silicones in Tresemme hair conditioner broke me out badly and so did the silicones in Redken’s Extreme Anti-Snap hair serum. It only took me a few days use to notice the breakouts on my face from coming into contact with the products. I think there may be more silicones in hair products than in skincare because hair conditioners and serums tend to feel more slippery, a sure sign of presence of silicones.
For myself, I ensure that I cleanse my skin well in the evenings to remove all traces of my makeup and skincare used in the day and for this, double cleansing works for me. In the morning, I also wash my face with a gentle facial cleanser before I put on any skincare. I don’t know if its enough, but since it works for me, I’ll continue doing what I do. Viva Woman also wrote an article about silicones which I found useful too.
In skincare, silicone is commonly found in serums and moisturisers.
In makeup, silicone is commonly found in primers and liquid foundations.
In hair products, silicone is commonly found in serums and conditioners.
glittergirl says
Do silicone primers get absorbed in the skin or do they just sit on the surface?
Anyone here used Bella pierre primer?
maya says
one of the creams you like contains silicone, clinique moisture surge. that is why it leaves a sticky layer on the skin and you feel your fingers a little slippery after applying the cream. and it’s written on the box, of course.
martha says
well, one more reason to stick to organic products. And take it from me, I grew up using L’oreal moisturisers which I’ve never liked very much, and now I can’t use anything other than organic, because guess what ? THEY REALLY WORK !
Natalie says
It’s not the silicons in the product 9x’s of 10 it’s the oils in the product you are using. Natural oils in any product can cause breakout until you skin adapts to the product. Look at all the ingredients in a product don’t just single out 1 when there is like 10-20 listed? It could be how they manufactured the product; they probably didn’t use the correct methods to clean equip…….I’ve worked in manufacturing for year & have seen plenty mistake that ppl make…….don’t just pick one ingredient.
LYNND says
Silicones, Dimethicone and other “cones” would appear to work by sealing in moisture to create a “protective barrier”. However, doesn’t a barrier also imply that antioxidants and other more desirable ingredients are themselves trapped in a silicone base, unable to penetrate pores? I’ve heard it said before that silicone in products might negate the usefulness of other ingredients that are listed after the dimethicone or the like appears on the label. Is this true?
I only know of a handful of “old school” products that don’t have dimethicone (yet)!: Ponds original dry skin cream doesn’t have it. I also found that U-Lactin body lotion, which is the best body lotion I’ve ever used but near impossible to locate except online, is one of those pre-silicone formulas that works exceptionally well. Similarly, the only widely available peptide (anti-aging) formula I’ve located is by Freeman (Vita-K Professional line). In contrast, Olay anti-aging products are loaded with silicones, as indicated by the fact that they rank high in the ingredient list (Olay Regenerist, etc.). Formulations predominated by dimethicone doesn’t seem to stop the Cosmetic Cop, among others, from recommending Olay anti-aging products, however!
I would like to see subsequent comments to this topic name skin and hair products that do NOT contain silicone, dimethicone or trimethicone. I have managed to find a face cream, a body lotion and an anti-wrinkle formula that doesn’t have these ubiquitous ingredients, but I’ve had no such luck finding a sunscreen without it. Even Trader Joe’s, which is known for selling health-conscious products without parabens, makes liberal use of silicone and its derivatives in their products! I would really appreciate it if those who are concerned about this issue can report their own experience locating silicone-free alternatives. Perhaps we can help each other out by naming names.
Tricia says
I’m with you, LynnD. I don’t seem to get breakouts form silicones, but it just seems logical that the “barrier” function they perform would negate the benefits of certain topical treatments.
Are there any good anti-aging serums or creams without silicones in them?
heather says
The truth is silicones are cheap synthetic ingredients, and bad for the environment. They make dry skin/hair worse over time. Try it and see for yourself! Similar to Mineral Oil its like wrapping your skin in plastic. Skin cannot breath. Try this experiment.. Grab yourself a bottle of baby oil (mineral oil) and massage into your hands for a week. Your hands will feel like cardboard. Definitely not hydrating in anyway. I will definitely never ever use a serum containing silicon again, nor a hair oil. Any one out there ever had any good results with products containing silicons? I hardly doubt it.
Oh and to top it off. Here is what is found on David Suzuki’s site. A respected scientist.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—siloxanes/
Rebecca says
Great summary – I think everyone reacts differently so you just need to find your comfort point with ‘cones’.
Rachel says
found this article, on my quest for information on silicone effects on skin.Lovely loads of information. its basic find what works for your skin!
Chrissie says
This article has been so useful – thank you! I\’m conscidering using a silicone based cream to even out my old acne scarring and a scar on my arm and was wondering if my body would absorb it. Now I know it won\’t I\’ll give it a try.
LL says
Great post – Thank you!
JaneDoes says
I find that although silicones don’t necessity break me out, foundations with silicone don’t last on my skin at all. I’m not sure whether it’s my natural oils, but products with silicone tend to get really greasy on me and cake off in a few hours. Even setting powders with silicone make my makeup wear off faster. It’s so weird, and no one at Sephora believes me, haha.