Dimethicone for Skin: The Complete Guide

If you were to imagine the texture of your ideal body cream or moisturizer, would the words "smooth," "velvety," and "silky" come to mind? Our guess is yes, but that might be a pretty obvious question. What's not so obvious is what exactly it is that makes our favorite products so buttery and luxurious to the touch. The answer to that one? Dimethicone. A form of silicone, dimethicone might already be on your radar—but for a different, less positive reason.

Spend any amount of time researching dimethicone on the Internet, and you'll find arguments and claims about how the ingredient (and silicones in general) clogs pores and causes acne, but you'll also find other articles that state the exact opposite. The topic of dimethicone and whether it's problematic or necessary in our skincare products is a highly debated one and something we wanted to get to the bottom of. So, we reached out to top skincare experts to find out what's true and what's just another rumor floating around the Internet.

Keep reading to hear what they have to say about this ingredient commonly found in your skincare products.

What Is Dimethicone?

Dimethicone or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is described by Waldorf as a synthetic polymer of silicon (a natural element of the Earth) and an emollient that works to improve the softness of skin by sealing the spaces between the superficial dead cells of the stratum corneum (the top layer of the epidermis). Weinstein says dimethicone doesn't mix with sebum (an oily substance on your skin) and is often used in cosmetic products designed for the face, such as creams, lotions, moisturizers, and primers.

Benefits of Dimethicone for Skin

Overall, dimethicone can improve the feel, longevity, and efficacy of the other ingredients in your skincare products.

• Creates a silky feel: Waldorf says the main reason silicones (including dimethicone) are used in skin care products is for their sensory properties. They provide a silky smooth finish to topical creams and lotions and allow a product to have a light texture and non-greasy feel that spreads quickly and easily.
• Seals hydration: Waldorf also says dimethicone has occlusive characteristics, meaning it can seal in hydration and keep out external moisture and irritants by forming a water-resistant film on the skin. Weinstein adds that it forms a barrier on the skin that protects against transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which can lead to inflammatory conditions.
• Won't cause breakouts: Waldorf argues that despite it being occlusive, dimethicone is non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. Because of these traits, it's commonly used in oil-free formulations to give long-lasting moisturization without clogging the pores.
• Controls shine: Weinstein says it is often used in cosmetic products designed for the face because it allows sweat to evaporate but controls the shine of an oily complexion.
• Protects the skin: It acts as a skin protectant against outside moisture and irritants (like other ingredients) that can cause dermatitis.
• Smooths texture: Weinstein says it can fill in fine lines or wrinkles on the face that contribute to the texture of your skin and create a smooth surface for a more even makeup application, which is why it's often found in primers.
• Has a matte finish: The smooth and slightly mattified finish of dimethicone makes it a great ingredient to smooth on pre-makeup.
• Has emollient characteristics: As an emollient, dimethicone works to soften and soothe the skin, but with a lighter, less greasy finish than other ingredients.

Side Effects of Dimethicone

Here's where things get a little complicated. Because dimethicone is occlusive, there's mass confusion as to whether it causes clogged pores and irritation and prevents other ingredients from absorbing into the skin. But according to Fu, there is no scientific basis for those claims. "Silicones are non-comedogenic and non-sensitizing," she explains. "You could even say they're 'cleaner' since dimethicones are pure synthetics. Plant oils and butters can be quite complex being pressed from plants and have a higher chance of containing potential allergens."

Yu adds, "It does work as an occlusive, but this is a basic function in moisturizers and not at all like the scary ‘putting plastic film over your face’ analogy fear-mongering blogs tend to refer to."

Waldorf says dimethicone is listed in the FDA monograph for skin-protectant drug products. However, because dimethicone is not an ingredient you use on its own, Weinstein suggests spot testing any new product before applyingit all over your face to see if the formula as a whole is right for you.

How to Use Dimethicone on Skin and Body

Fu says in general, this ingredient is safe for daily use, but how often and the order in which you apply formulas that contain dimethicone depends on what the product is specifically. If you're using it in something like a moisturizer or primer, Weinstein's best advice is to apply it to clean, damp skin after bathing or showering. And since it is occlusive, Lu says you should apply your water-based serum and gels first, then finish off with creams, oils, and balms to optimize the absorption of your actives and lock them in.

Does Dimethicone Work on All Skin Types?

Dimethicone is non-comedogenic, making it an effective moisturizer for all skin types. It's especially useful, however, for those with dry or sensitive skin, who could use the extra moisture.

This light-as-air moisturizing gel-cream is a favorite of dermatologists and Byrdie editors alike. It's full of skin-loving ingredients like ceramides (lipids that contribute to a healthy skin barrier), sodium hyaluronate (a humectant better known as hyaluronic acid), elderberry (a soothing antioxidant), and, of course, dimethicone (which gives it that lightweight, dreamy texture).

This oil-free and fragrance-free cream for the face and body is packed with the good stuff (dimethicone, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid) and none of the bad. Unlike other thick creams that require a decent chunk of time to soak in, this dermatologist-recommended formula absorbs quickly and leaves zero trace of the thick, sticky residue you're used to having.

This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer contains sodium hyaluronate to draw moisture into the skin and dimethicone to lock it in—but moisturizing isn't all this formula does. Thanks to the smoothing, blurring effects of the dimethicone, this water gel works just as well as a primer for makeup prep. And because dimethicone is non-comedogenic, this is also a good product choice for those with acne-prone skin. Did we mention just about every dermatologist loves it?