What is dimethicone cream used for?

What does dimethicone do for skin?

Your skin's outermost layer helps prevent water loss and protects against outside irritants. Dimethicone is an occlusive ingredient, meaning it helps form a barrier that limits moisture loss. A cream can combine it with humectants, ingredients such as glycerin that help skin hold water. These ingredients do different jobs within the same moisturizer.1

What is dimethicone barrier cream?

A barrier cream helps protect against irritants and dryness, which is a more useful job description than most skincare packaging manages. Dimethicone barrier creams are less greasy than petroleum based products, although petroleum based products are more effective at reducing water loss. Barrier creams can remain on skin for several hours, even after gentle washing.1

Barrier creams are useful for very dry skin and hand dermatitis associated with frequent water contact, harsh chemicals or repeated friction. They are also used in care for diaper rash, irritation associated with incontinence, and irritation around a stoma, a surgically created opening. These uses concern barrier creams as a category; choose a product intended for the area you are treating.1

How do you use dimethicone cream?

For a dimethicone moisturizer used on dry skin, use this general moisturizing routine:

1. 1Wash gently with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Limit baths and showers to five to ten minutes.
2. 2Pat your skin with a towel rather than rubbing, leaving it slightly damp.
3. 3Apply the moisturizer while skin is still damp and gently massage it in.
4. 4Reapply after washing your hands and whenever skin feels dry. Dry skin can need moisturizer several times a day.

For a barrier cream, apply sparingly and reapply as necessary. Most barrier creams should not be applied directly to broken skin.1

Can dimethicone cream help with eczema?

For dyshidrotic eczema, a dermatologist may recommend a barrier repair cream containing dimethicone to protect skin from irritation. Moisturizer plays a key role in helping this extremely dry skin heal. Choose a fragrance free cream or ointment rather than lotion, and apply it after washing and whenever skin feels dry. Barrier care belongs alongside any treatment your dermatologist prescribes.2

For hands affected by dyshidrotic eczema, remove rings before washing, applying moisturizer and going to sleep. Wash with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance free cleanser. Protect hands before contact with water, detergents or household cleaners: for wet work, wear cotton gloves underneath waterproof gloves. Cream does not replace avoiding the irritants that trigger your eczema.2

Which creams contain dimethicone?

Dimethicone is found in some hand creams, dry skin moisturizers and barrier repair creams. For dry skin, cream or ointment is a better choice than lotion, so the lightest texture does not automatically win the audition. Look for dimethicone in the ingredients and choose a fragrance free formula. "Unscented" is not equivalent: a product can contain chemicals that hide other ingredients' odors and irritate dry, sensitive skin.34

Who should be careful?

Barrier creams are usually well tolerated, but preservatives, fragrances or other ingredients can cause allergic contact dermatitis, an allergic skin reaction. Some occlusive barrier creams can aggravate acne when used on the face.1

If moisturizer causes burning, stinging or irritation, tell your dermatologist. Arrange an assessment if dry skin persists despite regular moisturizing and gentle care. An underlying condition can need treatment beyond moisturizer.3

Do not swallow hand cream. If someone swallows it, seek medical help or contact poison control promptly, and do not induce vomiting unless instructed. In the United States, call Poison Help at 1 800 222 1222. Have the container, amount swallowed and time of exposure ready.4