Dimethicone, a type of silicone, is a controversial yet frequently used ingredient in skincare, cosmetic, and hair care products.
Companies use it because it creates a shininess and luster in hair and a matte finish in skincare products, but is it safe?
Find out as we cover the details on dimethicone in hair and skincare, including benefits, uses, human and environmental risks, and natural alternatives.
What is Dimethicone?
Dimethicone, also known as methicone, cyclomethicone, dimethiconol, phenyl trimethicone, and dimethicone copolyol, is a type of silicone commonly used in hair, skincare, and cosmetics to improve hair and skin's texture and appearance.[1]
It works by coating hair and skin, providing a protective barrier against moisture loss while enhancing hair’s luster and creating a matte appearance on skin.
How is Dimethicone Used in Hair & Skincare?
Silicones, including dimethicone, are used in approximately 50% of skincare products.[2]
Dimethicone has several functional properties, including acting as an:
- Skin conditioning agent: Softens and smooths skin and hair
- A texturizer: Gives products a smooth, even, silky feel
- An occlusive: Helps trap and lock in moisture, preventing dry skin, hair, and moisture loss
- An anti-foaming agent: Helps reduce foaming
Dimethicone is also non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores.
Dimethicone is one of the most frequently used ingredients in hair and skincare products, including:
- Shampoos
- Conditioners
- Sunscreen
- Aftershave
- Shaving cream
- Moisturizers
- Facial cleansers
- Cosmetics, including eye shadow, foundation, powder, primers, and eyeliner
- Self tanners
- Baby oil
- Bath oil
- Body oil
- Hair dye
- Body washes
- Hair sprays
Dimethicone is most commonly used in synthetic-based skin, hair, and body care products, although some clean brands use it as well.
Benefits of Dimethicone in Skin and Haircare
Dimethicone offers many benefits for skin and hair, including:
- Creating a moisture barrier on skin and hair
- Adding shine and luster to hair
- Helps reduce moisture loss to make skin feel more hydrated
- Conditioning hair
- Helping fill in fine lines and wrinkles
- Provides a smoother more even looking appearance
- Helps other ingredients spread evenly and stay on the skin’s surface
- Non-comedogenic and suitable for acne-prone skin
Some consumers perceive silicones as heavy or pore-clogging, although studies show dimethicone is non-comedogenic and generally well-tolerated
Though studies suggest the opposite, the truth is likely somewhere in the middle, as everyone reacts differently to skin and haircare ingredients.
Is Dimethicone Toxic?
Many clean skincare experts and health advocates recommend avoiding dimethicone-containing products due to concerns about the potential toxicity and the unknown effects of cumulative exposure to siloxanes (silicone compounds) in humans and the environment.
This has led to several investigations on the safety of dimethicone, which suggests it is generally safe to use in hair and skincare products, with little risk of allergy or reaction.[3]
The difference between dimethicone and other silicone products is its large molecular size, which causes it to mostly sit on the skin and hair rather than be absorbed into the bloodstream, unlike siloxanes in bakeware.
At present, dimethicone appears to be safe for humans, but more long-term studies may be needed to assess its cumulative effects.
The bigger potential issue with dimethicone is its lack of biodegradability, which has raised concerns about its potential to bioaccumulate in the environment.
Although more research is needed, it is believed that dimethicone poses a low risk of bioaccumulation due to its molecular size and resistance to degradation.
However, silicones do eventually break down, and research has also shown siloxanes can break down faster if exposed to harsh environments, such as saline or extreme heat.[5]
The EU has recently placed restrictions on the use of silicones D4, D5, and D6 in wash-off and leave-on products, adding to people’s concerns.[6] However, dimethicone was not on that list.
Ultimately, dimethicone is not biodegradable, and some researchers suggest it may bioaccumulate.
However, the majority of evidence suggests it does not appear to cause the same problems as other siloxanes.
Regardless, its lack of biodegradability and general concerns about siloxanes have led many consumers to reject silicone-containing products in favor of natural and biodegradable alternatives, which we’ll discuss next.
Dimethicone Alternatives
If you’re looking for dimethicone/silicone-free skincare and haircare alternatives, nature has plenty of options!
Some of the best, including those we use at Desert Essence, include:
- Shea butter: An ultra-hydrating semi-solid fat from shea nuts
- Jojoba oil: A hydrating, balancing, light-weight liquid wax from the Jojoba plant with occlusive properties
- Aloe vera: A natural hydrating and soothing gel from the aloe plant
- Decylglucoside: A naturally-derived, ultra-gentle surfactant from coconuts or corn
- Sodium Cocoglucoside: A naturally-derived ultra-gentle surfactant from coconuts
- Cocoa butter: An edible, semi-solid oil fat from the cocoa bean with hydrating and occlusive properties
- Mango butter: A creamy edible fat extracted from mango pits with hydrating and occlusive properties
- Glycerin: A vegetable extract from corn, palm, or soybeans, often combined with an occlusive to draw moisture into the skin
These dimethicone alternatives are plant-derived, 100% biodegradable, and allow the skin to breathe.
How to Avoid Dimethicone in Hair, Skincare, & Cosmetics
The best ways to avoid dimethicone are to look for silicone-free skin care products, prioritize clean, plant-derived products, and to check labels for dimethicone and its other aliases (see previous section, “What Is Dimethicone?” for a list).
Since dimethicone is not the only silicone-based ingredient used in skin and haircare products, it’s also wise to become familiar with other silicone ingredients, typically ending in:
- "-cone"
- "-conol"
- "-silane"
- "-siloxane"
Again, most clean, natural, and plant-derived skincare products do not contain silicones.
However, some do, so always check labels thoroughly.
Why Desert Essence Says No to Dimethicone
Desert Essence has been producing clean, botanically-based, silicone-free skin, hair, body, and oral care products since our inception over 50 years ago!
Although concerns about dimethicone in the clean skincare industry may be overblown, our commitment to using plant-derived, human-safe, sustainably grown, biodegradable, and environmentally-friendly ingredients prohibits the use of dimethicone or other silicones in our products.
Instead, we rely on natural, plant-derived ingredients previously discussed, such as Jojoba Oil, aloe vera, shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, and gentle glucoside surfactants.
Shop Desert skincare, haircare, body care, oral care, and personal care, and experience the difference silicone-free, plant-derived, botanically-based, cruelty-free personal care products can make to your beauty and self-care routines.
Curious about what else is in Desert Essence products?
We put a lot of effort into sourcing effective, sustainable, plant-derived, and safe ingredients.
For more information, check out our FAQs and Ingredients pages.
References:
- “PubChem Compound Summary for Dimethicone”. National Center for Biotechnology Information (2025).
- “Amended Safety Assessment of Dimethicone, Methicone, and Substituted-Methicone Polymers as Used in Cosmetics”. Cosmetic Ingredient Review.
- “Direct Human Contact with Siloxanes (Silicones) – Safety or Risk Part 1. Characteristics of Siloxanes (Silicones)”. Frontiers in Pharmacology.
- “Dimethicone”. Environmental Working Group.
- Study on the Degradation of Optical Silicone Exposed to Harsh Environments. Materials
- “EU Bans Cosmetic Silicones D4, D5, and D6 in All Products”. Global Cosmetic News.