Dimethicone 1% cream: what it does and how to use it

What does dimethicone do?

Dimethicone is a silicone polymer, a substance made from repeating chemical units. It coats the skin and helps improve softness, smoothness and flexibility. It also gives skincare products their slip, making them easier to spread. Dimethicone appears in creams, lotions, ointments, serums, sunscreens and lip balms, so finding the ingredient name alone does not tell you how to use the finished product.2

Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of skin, where dead skin cells are held together by fats. Damage to that layer allows more water to escape and increases sensitivity to irritants. A barrier cream helps protect the skin surface from irritants and drying, a practical job for a category whose name has already done most of the marketing.3

Dimethicone forms a thin layer and can smooth gaps between cells at the skin surface. Silicone barrier creams generally feel less greasy than petroleum based products, while petroleum based products are more effective at limiting water loss. Choose between them based on the protection and texture you need, rather than assuming every barrier cream feels or behaves the same.34

How do you apply dimethicone 1% cream?

Workman's Friend is a hand and skin barrier cream, despite having a name that sounds available to help move a sofa. Its uses include protection from the drying effects of chemicals, wind and cold weather.1

For Workman's Friend 1%, follow these steps.

1. 1Shake the product well before use.
2. 2Clean and dry your hands and the skin where you will apply it.
3. 3Apply the cream to your palm and rub it thoroughly into your hands and skin. Cover the fronts and backs of your hands, including the cuticles.
4. 4Allow 3 to 5 minutes for the cream to dry, or wait until it is completely absorbed.

General barrier cream guidance is to apply sparingly and reapply as necessary. Barrier creams can remain on the skin for several hours, including after gentle washing. That is general guidance, not a universal timetable for every dimethicone cream; follow your product's own application instructions.3

Can you use it for eczema or very dry skin?

Dimethicone is an occlusive ingredient, meaning it helps keep moisture in the skin. Eczema moisturizers often combine occlusives with humectants, which attract water, and emollients, which soften skin and fill cracks. Dimethicone is one useful part of a moisturizing formula, rather than a reason to ignore the other ingredients. For eczema, choose a fragrance free product with a short ingredient list. Botanical ingredients and essential oils can cause allergic reactions.5

For a moisturizing eczema cream, apply to clean, moist skin after bathing, or first dampen the skin with a warm washcloth. General eczema care includes moisturizing the body twice daily; during a flare, applying moisturizer to affected areas every 3 to 4 hours can help retain moisture and soothe skin. These are eczema moisturizing instructions, not a replacement for Workman's Friend's clean, dry skin directions.5

A less occlusive eczema lotion or cream can be followed by a light layer of petroleum jelly to seal in moisture. Creams contain more oil and less water than lotions, making them thicker and slower to absorb. Ointments are best at locking in moisture but are also the greasiest. If moisturizing products are not controlling your eczema, see a dermatologist about further treatment.5

Can you put dimethicone cream on your face?

Dimethicone is used in moisturizers for both the face and body, including formulas for oily skin. The ingredient itself is described as noncomedogenic, meaning it does not tend to clog pores. That does not make every dimethicone barrier cream a good facial moisturizer: some occlusive barrier creams can aggravate acne. Choose a product intended for your application area, rather than treating a hand cream and a facial moisturizer as interchangeable.234

When should you stop using it?

Workman's Friend can sting on severely cracked skin. Stop using it if stinging is excessive or a rash occurs or worsens. Stop and ask a doctor if the condition worsens, symptoms last longer than 7 days, or symptoms clear and return within a few days. Use it externally only, keep it away from children and avoid the eyes. If it gets into your eyes, flush with water.1

Barrier creams are usually well tolerated, but preservatives, fragrances and other ingredients can cause allergic contact dermatitis, an allergic skin reaction. Most barrier creams should not be applied directly to broken skin. Do not assume that a cream intended for dryness is also suitable for an open wound.3

What is dimethicone 1.3% cream?

Dimethicone 1.3% cream contains dimethicone at that stated concentration. One example is Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream, marketed in Canada as a nonprescription drug with dimethicone 1.3% by weight. It is a different product from Workman's Friend 1%, so use Cavilon's own directions rather than borrowing another cream's application steps.6

Other dimethicone creams have substantially different concentrations. Medline's cream contains dimethicone 6.6% by weight and is used to help prevent, temporarily protect and relieve chapped or cracked skin and lips. Medline tells you to apply it as needed. The shared ingredient name does not make the concentration, intended areas or directions identical.7