Dimethicone in skincare

Why is dimethicone used in skincare products?

Dimethicone does two jobs. As an occlusive, an ingredient that limits evaporation, it helps keep water in the skin. As an emollient, an ingredient that softens and smooths, it fills rough spots. Those jobs are related, but smoothing the surface and increasing its water content are not the same thing. Dry skin lacks water, not simply oil, so a useful moisturizer combines water retention with a source of moisture.1

Dimethicone can also appear in products labelled oil free. That description usually means the formula does not contain mineral or vegetable oil; silicone can still provide the moisture retaining layer. An oil free moisturizer is not necessarily a moisturizer without an occlusive.1

How does dimethicone compare with petroleum jelly?

Petroleum based barrier products are more effective at reducing water loss and keeping skin hydrated. Silicone barrier creams feel less greasy than petroleum based products, which is a practical difference rather than a contest for the most impressive bathroom shelf. For very dry skin, stronger moisture retention can matter more than a lighter feel. For a product used on visible areas, texture can make regular application easier. A moisturizer you like enough to use regularly is more useful than one you avoid, even if the avoided jar has excellent typography.12

How do you use a dimethicone moisturizer?

1. 1Wash gently. For dry or sensitive skin, a moisturizing soap substitute is an alternative to soap.
2. 2Apply moisturizer after washing or bathing. For facial skin with acne, leave some water on the skin before applying it to help trap moisture.
3. 3Match the texture to the dryness. Ointments suit dry, thick, scaly areas; creams suit broader application; lotions suit mild dryness or hairy areas.
4. 4Reapply as dryness requires. Slightly dry skin can need only a light moisturizer at night, while very dry skin can benefit from a greasy moisturizer every couple of hours.

A dedicated barrier cream is applied sparingly and reapplied as necessary. These products can persist for several hours, including after gentle washing. They help maintain the skin's physical barrier and protect against irritants, so they have a different purpose from simply making the surface feel soft.2

Can you use dimethicone if you have acne?

Choose the finished moisturizer for acne, rather than deciding from dimethicone alone. Look for oil free, noncomedogenic or won't clog pores on the container. Noncomedogenic means unlikely to cause acne. Some occlusive barrier creams can aggravate acne on the face, so a heavy hand barrier cream is not automatically a good facial moisturizer.24

Daily moisturizer can help skin tolerate the dryness and irritation caused by benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin and prescription isotretinoin. Moisturizer supports the treatment routine; it is not a replacement for acne medication. Apply it when skin feels dry, including during winter. If choosing a moisturizer feels difficult because of breakouts, a dermatologist can help select the cleanser, medication and moisturizer together.4

What about sensitive skin and hand eczema?

For dyshidrotic eczema, a type of eczema affecting hands or feet, a dermatologist can recommend a barrier repair cream containing dimethicone. The cream creates a protective barrier against irritation while allowing skin to breathe. Choose a fragrance free cream or ointment rather than a lotion for this condition, because lotions contain too much water and can worsen it. Apply moisturizer after washing and whenever skin feels dry.5

Remove rings before washing your hands or applying moisturizer, and use lukewarm water with a mild, fragrance free cleanser. Barrier cream does not replace protection from irritants: wear appropriate gloves before wet work or contact with detergents and household cleaners. For wet work, cotton gloves beneath waterproof gloves help prevent irritation. If you cannot identify what triggers irritation or an allergic reaction, a dermatologist can use testing to help identify what to avoid.5

What results should you expect?

The main benefits of moisturizers are less dryness and better skin barrier function. Their effects are greatest during the first six hours after application, and regular application two to three times daily can be needed to maximize benefits. Moisturizers can also form a base for makeup, so the moisturizer does not need a second career as a primer to be useful.3

In acne treatment studies, most patients saw less acne within four to eight weeks while using an acne friendly moisturizer alongside medication and cleanser selected by dermatologists. Treat that as a timeline for the combined acne routine, not a countdown for dimethicone to clear breakouts.4

When should you stop using the product?

Sensitive skin can react to moisturizers with burning or stinging. Brief irritation does not always require stopping, but discontinue a product if contact dermatitis, an inflammatory skin reaction, develops. Preservatives, fragrances and other components can cause contact allergy; suspected allergy can be investigated with patch testing. Some occlusive products can also aggravate acne or folliculitis, inflammation around hair follicles.3

Most barrier creams should not be applied directly to broken skin. If your skin is cracked or a product causes a suspected allergic reaction, seek advice about an appropriate product rather than assuming that a protective cream belongs on every damaged area.2