Dimethicone Products: What are They?
I’ve been seeing a ton of dimethicone products lately. I like the way they give my skin that Photoshopped look, but I wasn’t sure if they were good or bad for my acne-prone skin, so I did a little research.
Dimethicone products fill in lines and smoothes the texture of your skin, which gives you an immediate “gaussian blur” look (Photoshop users know what I’m talking about!). It seems that dimethicone and similar ingredients (such as cyclomethicone, dimethiconol, and phenyl trimethicone) are man-made polymers that are generally recognized as safe (and approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics). Dimethicone is listed as a low hazard ingredient in the Skin Deep Database (which I take with a grain of salt anyway). But is it good for your skin?
Britta Aragon from the Cinco Vidas blog, says dimethicone products are generally safe, but not good for your skin. She says it creates a barrier on the skin (like mineral oil), which can cause your skin to become more dry with long term use, could trap bacteria which can cause acne, prevents sloughing of the skin and temperature regulation/sweating, and could increase skin irritation levels.
On the other hand, Truth in Aging, says dimethicone products are non-comedogenic (meaning it doesn’t clog pores or cause acne) and can actually PREVENT skin irritation, as well as reduce inflammation and redness from rosacea!
So is it bad for acne or what? It is my understanding (correct me if I’m wrong) that the dimethicone molecule is too big to actually clog pores (it sits on the top layer), but there is a possibility of trapping the dirt under a layer of dimethicone (especially if you apply to unclean skin). I’ve been using dimethicone-based products for a few weeks, and I haven’t seen any new acne or oiliness (or dryness). My thoughts are that silicones are probably not the best for DAILY use, but just fine for occasional use.
I get a ton of compliments on my skin when I use my Perfekt CC Cream with SPF 30. It’s a new product that gives me buildable color, smooths out fine lines and bumps, and protects me from the sun – all in one portable package. It’s quick and easy to apply, and it looks great.
I’m also really into their Body Perfection Gel (in Tan). It covers up all the discoloration on my arms and legs and gives me a subtle glow. Again, I don’t wear this every day – just when I want a little extra oomph! You can find Perfekt at Fred Segal and Sephora, as well as at www.perfektbeauty.com.
For undereye brightening and line smoothing, I like Nuance by Salma Hayek’s Tinted Eye Brightener. It’s made with dimethicone, blue agave & lemon extracts, caffeine (to reduce puffiness) & vitamin C. It brightens dark circles while smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles immediately. It comes with a brush on applicator, but I find it easier to apply by patting it gently under my eyes. It’s got a peach tint, which is perfect for covering dark circles. You can find Nuance products at CVS drugstores.
If you’re looking for a great makeup primer for all skin types, try Reviva Labs. Their Makeup Primer is dimethicone-based, with Vit A, Vit D, olive oil, squalane and CoQ10 (a potent antioxidant). It fills in lines, and helps to give your makeup a smooth canvas. You only need a small amount to cover your entire face, so the 1 oz bottle will last a long time. Again – you really have to try a dimethicone-based primer to see if it’s right for your skin.
Wondering if dimethicone and other silicones are good or bad for your hair? Personally, I like them in moderation. Read this article on FutureDerm for more info on the good and the bad. And this article on alternatives.
What are your thoughts on dimethicone products and silicone-based products? I’d love to hear it!
Try dermorganic
I’ve been using a BB Cream with dimethicone in its uppermost ingredient list, 5 days a week for almost two years, and I don’t think it clogs my pores or dries my skin. If anything, the acnes don’t appear as much as before I use it, and my face became smoother and less oily. Although I’ve been careful in moisturizing and cleaning my face during the days I use it too, so probably dimethicone is okay if we do good skincare regiment!?
I will admit that I have extremely princess-and-the-pea skin, iykwim, but all I can say is that silicone/dimethicone cosmetics break me out like nothing else–within a day. I have to find cosmetics/skincare that don’t contain those ingredients, and greatly appreciate the manufacturers who take the extra trouble. I lean more and more toward organic cosmetics all the time–they just make more sense.
Cool post. I like science I can actually understand… doesn’t happen too often! 😛
VoyageOfTheMeeMee
I’ve been under the impression that it’s neither good or bad. As in, it’s not beneficial (except for how it appears), but it’s not harmful either. I have a few products that contain it, and I suppose that they’re fine as long as they’re taken off at the end of the day.
I personally think dimethicone is probably either neutral or helpful to skin, based on the research I’ve done. I’ve always had good results with products that contain it or similiar ingredients. Ohh, the Perfekt skin products look great, I’m glad to know the brand is cruelty-free. The original Perfekt skin is amazing, I need to try more from that line. I have the Nuance under eye brightener, though the color is a bit off for me.
This makes me understand how and why products like these work, which is awesome. Quick question though, how much caffeine is in the Salma Hayek product? and would this affect my energy levels?
Di
I just read your review on SteamCream and wanted to ask if it contains any parabans?
https://mybeautybunny.com/steamcream-coming-us/
Hi Di – it’s such a minimal amount, I really don’t think it would affect your energy levels. If it did, that would be a bonus for me – haha! 🙂
Totally! If you know your skin hates it, definitely stay away!
Thank you so much for your reply Jen, appreciate the clarification 🙂
Di
Hello, I really don’t understand, you have a blog about animal care but you are promoted the silicones. They are bad for environnement so for animals and humans too. Don’t you know that biggest ennemy for sea life is plastic ? And what is silicone ? Plastic …
It is really strange that beauty pro-animal bloggers are so … I don’t know … uncritismed ? unrealistic ? Don’t want to be rude, English is not my firts language.
Dimethicone is a type of silicone – the major component in Silly Putty. I don’t like it in my hair or on my skin because of the slippery layer that it creates. Although it may be less problematic with hair, having a thick layer of anything artificial sitting on my skin prevents it from breathing. I prefer natural applications on my skin. I’ve learned not to trust the FDA to properly test anything anyway.
Hello Lala – the focus of this blog is beauty products that have not been tested on animals. I’m not sure how silicones hurt sea life – not something I’ve ever heard about. But, please send a link to an article with more information.
I actually use dimethicone to prevent acne scars. A 1:1:1 mixture of calendula oil, licorice extract, and dimethicone while my acne heals prevents scarring and even fades older scars, it’s been the only thing to ever work for me! I find it leaves too much build up in my hair for daily use.
I have the perfekt beauty CC Cream shade “luminous” and I love this stuff. At first I didn’t
really see the big deal, but after using a few times I can’t live
without it. I have so much redness all over my face and I’m really pale.
And I don’t just mean red spots or areas, I mean almost my whole face
is red all the time without makeup on. I have tried every concealer out
there for redness and this stuff makes it almost fully disappear without
looking too heavy. Maybe it just works extra well for my skin? Who
knows. To use it I moisturize and prime, put it on then apply my
foundation. I literally never leave reviews on products so for me to be
writing a book about this stuff really says something. I definitely
recommend!
You literally just said that dimethicone based cover ups are not good for your skin for daily use, then you insert multiple *shameless plugs* for commissions for clicks!!! I don’t get it. I just want an article that’s actually trying to HELP me please!
Hi Caitlyn, I use dimethicone products – I just don’t think they are great for EVERY DAY use. It depends on your skin type – some people have no issues with dimethicone and actually find that it helps their oily skin.
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