What Is Dimethicone Used for in Skin Care and Hair Care?

When it comes to cosmetic and skin care ingredients, there are a few that we constantly hear about and we’re fully aware of what they are and what they do. Vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid are a few that come to mind, but there are also a handful of elusive ingredients that make their way into products we use daily that most aren’t familiar with. 


Dimethicone is at the top of that list of ingredients — it’s in practically every skin care and hair care product, but you may not know why. Keep reading to get the 4-1-1 on this common skin care and hair care ingredient, including what dimethicone is used for in skin and hair products, plus some great beauty picks that include dimethicone. 


What Is Dimethicone?
Dimethicone is a man-made, silicone molecule that’s often found in cosmetic and personal care products due to its excellent emollient (smoothing) properties. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel, it works as an anti-foaming agent, skin protectant, skin conditioning agent and hair conditioning agent. 


While there are many different forms of dimethicone, it’s often used as a spreading aid in many of your favorite creams and lotions. Topical application of dimethicone can form a protective barrier that can help to improve moisture retention, thus increasing skin hydration. That’s what gives the skin a smooth, silky feel and can help to plump fine lines and wrinkles. 


What Does Dimethicone Do for Skin?
Certain forms of dimethicone, such as dimethicone PEG or PPG, are used as emulsifiers to provide skin care products with a uniformly smooth texture. When paired with certain slip agents, dimethicone can serve as a viable solution stabilizer — in other words, it’s needed to make your products perform as intended so that you can reap their benefits. Dimethicone in skin care has benefits that may also include skin-soothing and astringent properties, according to the Journal of Wound Ostomy & Continence Nursing.


What Does Dimethicone Do for Hair?
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), dimethicone is a widely-used silicone in the hair care industry. It creates a thin, protective layer over the hair shaft which helps to enhance shine, smooth and protect the hair from abrasive actions (like tugging or blow drying) and add body to it.


The Benefits Of Dimethicone in Skin Care and Hair Care
Dimethicone is a silicone that helps to improve formulas in skin care and hair care products. Here are some of its standout benefits in both. 


1. Texture
In skin care, it aids in texture and hydration. According to a medical journal by the NCBI, dimethicone has a moisturizing effect as well as a softening effect. 


2. It Doesn’t Clog Pores
It’s also non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores. This is beneficial for all skin types, but especially those with oily skin because they’re more prone to acne. 


3. It Locks in Moisture
In hair care, it aids in absorption on the hair shaft to add shine, increase strength, smooth hair and lock in hydration. 


4. Smoothing
Overall, dimethicone is a smoothing agent that helps your products perform better, it also helps to keep topical formulas lightweight and smooth.


Is Dimethicone Harmful for Skin?
According to the CIR, there is no scientific evidence to support dimethicone allergies. While people may claim to be allergic, it is more likely that another ingredient is causing the allergic reaction, like a preservative. That said, if you experience any type of irritation from your products, such as swelling, redness, hives or burning, wash the product off the affected area immediately and consult with your doctor.


Is Dimethicone Harmful for Hair?
The NCBI reveals that silicones like dimethicone can have negative effects on curly hair because they can lead to buildup, weighing down the hair and making it look heavy and greasy. So, while there may not be scientific evidence that supports the claim that dimethicone is harmful to the hair, it may not be great for your style depending on your hair type. That said, some evidence shows the opposite effect, as the silicones help coat the hair shaft, which creates less friction when you brush or comb your hair, per the CIR.


What Are Dimethicone Side Effects?
While dimethicone allergies are uncommon, side effects after topical application could include redness, swelling, hives, inflammation and burning on the application site.


Does Dimethicone Cause Hair Loss?
The CIR shares that there is no direct correlation between dimethicone and hair loss. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology reveals that dimethicone helps to smooth the hair cuticle, which can actually reduce friction and hair breakage that leads to hair loss.