Is dimethicone in skincare good or bad?

What does dimethicone do for skin?

Dimethicone is a silicone used in moisturizers. It acts as an emollient, an ingredient that softens and smooths the skin surface, and helps create a protective barrier. It smooths gaps in the outer skin layer, giving skin a softer feel. A softer skin feel is a useful result, even without a dramatic before and after photo.1

For dry skin, a moisturizer containing dimethicone can be helpful, especially in winter. Dimethicone can also create a barrier that helps reduce irritation from wearing a face mask.23

Why is dimethicone considered bad?

A surface film is not the same as blocked pores or skin that cannot breathe. Dimethicone forms a thin, nongreasy layer that is permeable to water vapor, and silicones do not interfere with skin breathability. Its barrier function is part of why dimethicone is useful in moisturizers, rather than a reason to avoid it.1

Dimethicone can build up in hair products, where a clarifying shampoo can help remove it. That is a hair care issue, not a reason to treat a facial moisturizer as harmful. Hair product advice and facial skincare advice answer different questions.2

Is dimethicone bad for skin?

Dimethicone is considered noncomedogenic and has a low potential to cause allergy. For acne prone skin, choose a finished moisturizer labeled "noncomedogenic", "oil free" or "won't clog pores" rather than deciding from dimethicone alone. The whole formula matters more than a single ingredient, even if blaming one name makes for a tidier villain.14

Moisturizer is particularly useful if benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene or prescription isotretinoin makes your skin dry. Daily moisturizing can help skin tolerate these acne treatments. Dimethicone provides moisturizing and barrier benefits without the greasy shine that can make a moisturizer unappealing on oily skin.14

How should you use a dimethicone moisturizer?

1. 1Choose a texture for your skin: a gel for oily skin, a lotion for normal or combination skin, or a cream for dry to very dry skin.
2. 2Wash your face, then leave some water on your skin.
3. 3Apply moisturizer immediately after washing to help trap that water.
4. 4Use moisturizer every day when your skin feels dry. If a face mask causes dryness, apply moisturizer before and after wearing it.

Will dimethicone clear acne?

Treat dimethicone as moisturizing support, not your acne medication. Acne improvement within 4 to 8 weeks has been seen with routines combining an acne friendly moisturizer, cleanser and acne medication. That timing applies to the combined routine, not dimethicone alone. If you need help choosing an acne routine, a dermatologist can build a treatment plan that includes a suitable moisturizer.4