Dimethicone is an unmodified silicone oil. It is used as a moisturizer, emollient, skin protectant and it helps prevent skin against moisture lost. However silicone products shows occlusive properties. Due to its large molecules, dimethicone does not penetrate deep into your skin and forms a layer on the skin protecting, but I think also trapping it. Maybe this is how it prevents moisture lost, but at the same time, it can also trap moisture along with it bacteria, sebum and impurities which can in turn lead to pimples or clogged pores. Many say that dimethicone is a wonderful ingredient for moisturizing and protecting even sensitive skin. I have used products with dimethicone in it before and I didn’t have any bad reaction to it. But it wasn’t on my face, I used it in a hand lotion. I have to say that it does leave a film on my hand, its not sticky, and it doesn’t feel like anything is on my skin, but I notice that when I wash my hands, the lotion comes off. So I guess that it doesn’t get absorbed by the skin. But do I really want to have something (like a film) over my skin all the time? Probably not. And how do I know that this is a breathable barrier? Dimethicone is also a popular ingredient for hair care products such as conditioner and anti frizz products since it coats the hair. Have anyone ever had problems with dimethicone? or do you think its a wonderful ingredient to have for dry skin?
