Dimethicone

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.

What it does:

• Gives products a nice, silky, non-sticky texture that feels nice on skin.
• Creates a breathable barrier on skin that locks in moisture and protects skin from irritants.
• Smooths skin by filling in fine-lines and pores.

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

1. Lighter viscosity: Feels like water and will evaporate quickly from the skin, allowing the product to be easily spread onto the skin.
2. Thicker viscosity: Stays on the skin longer and acts as a skin protectant. In fact, dimethicone is often used in scar treatments to help fade and flatten scars. This is because dimethicone helps improve hydration.

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.