No products in the cart.: $0.00
Dimethicone
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare (FDA skin protectant 1–30%)
☑ Haircare
☒ Handmade Soap (cold-process; ✔ syndet bars only)
☑ Cosmetics — three-line dual-use ingredient
Dimethicone is a silicone polymer (polydimethylsiloxane) built from silicon–oxygen chains with methyl groups, produced from silica (sand). It is one of the most studied and widely used skin-protective ingredients in dermatology: the U.S. FDA recognizes dimethicone as an over-the-counter skin protectant at 1–30%, and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel considers it safe as used [1]. It forms a breathable, water-repellent film that reduces water loss and shields irritated skin, improves the spread and feel of creams and sunscreens [2], and is the basis of silicone gel sheets and ointments used to flatten and soften scars [3]. In haircare, dimethicone coats the cuticle to reduce friction, add slip and shine, and protect against heat and breakage [4]. It is chemically inert, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic, but it does not saponify, so it has no place in cold-process soap — and its non-biodegradability and “clean beauty” perception mean ORY® offers it as an option rather than a default, with plant-based alternatives for customers who prefer silicone-free.
What is Dimethicone made of?
Dimethicone is synthesized from silica through silicon–methyl intermediates, then polymerized to controlled chain lengths (viscosities from water-thin to gum). Points to know [1]:
- Polydimethylsiloxane backbone: Alternating silicon and oxygen atoms with methyl side groups; inert, non-reactive, odorless, colorless.
- Viscosity grades (e.g., 5 cSt to 60,000 cSt): Low viscosities give slip and spread; high viscosities give protective films and hold.
- Breathable film: Permeable to water vapor and oxygen; occlusive to liquid water.
- Related silicones: Cyclopentasiloxane (volatile carrier — restricted in the EU for wash-off), dimethiconol (gum for shine), amodimethicone (amine-modified, targets damaged hair).
- Not a plant material: Mineral-derived and synthetic; not biodegradable in the environment.
What skin type is best suited for Dimethicone?
Dimethicone suits all seven ORY® skin types as a protectant and texture agent:
- Sensitive: FDA skin protectant; inert and hypoallergenic; shields irritated, eczema-prone skin.
- Dry: Reduces water loss with a breathable film; smooths flaky texture.
- Oily: Non-greasy, matte-feel grades; non-comedogenic.
- Acne-prone: Non-comedogenic; used in oil-free moisturizers and primers.
- Combination: Lightweight slip in lotions.
- Mature: Fills fine lines optically; improves sunscreen spread and wear [2]; scar-softening in silicone gels [3].
- Normal: Silky sensory in creams and sunscreens.
What hair type is best suited for Dimethicone?
Dimethicone is the classic conditioning silicone, valuable for damaged and frizz-prone hair when balanced with occasional clarifying:
- Dry or damaged: Coats the cuticle, reduces friction and breakage, seals split ends [4].
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Smooths raised cuticles; protects from heat styling.
- Curly and coily: Slip for detangling; frizz control (use water-soluble or lighter grades to limit buildup).
- Straight and wavy: Shine and frizz control in serums and sprays.
- Oily scalp: Keep off the scalp; apply to lengths only.
- Sensitive scalp, dandruff-prone: Inert; apply to lengths; clarify periodically.
- Mature or thinning: Thickening feel on fine hair with lightweight grades; avoid scalp buildup.
What are the benefits of Dimethicone?
Dimethicone’s benefits are supported by regulatory review, clinical use, and cosmetic science [1–4]:
- Skin protectant: FDA-monograph protectant at 1–30%; shields chapped, chafed, and irritated skin [1].
- Barrier and moisture retention: Breathable film reduces transepidermal water loss without greasiness [2].
- Scar management: Silicone gels and sheets soften and flatten hypertrophic scars [3].
- Sensory and spreadability: Silky, non-tacky feel; improves sunscreen and makeup application.
- Non-comedogenic and inert: Does not react with actives or feed microbes.
- Hair conditioning: Reduces friction, breakage, and frizz; adds shine and heat protection [4].
- Wear and water resistance: Improves longevity of foundations and sunscreens.
- Optical smoothing: Fills fine lines and pores in primers.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Dimethicone serves skincare, haircare, and cosmetics; it is incompatible with cold-process soap making (does not saponify, separates, and reduces lather) and is offered by ORY® as an opt-in for customers who accept silicones.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Barrier creams and skin-protectant products (1–30%), moisturizers, sunscreens, primers, scar gels, hand creams. |
1–10% (up to 30% for protectant claims; 100% in scar gels) |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Conditioners, serums, heat protectants, anti-frizz creams, leave-ins (lengths and ends). |
0.5–5% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
No |
Does not saponify; separates from the soap matrix and reduces lather. Usable only in syndet (synthetic detergent) bars for slip. |
— (1–2% in syndet bars) |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Primers, foundations, BB/CC creams, setting sprays, mascaras, lip products, powders. |
2–30% |
Pros and cons of Dimethicone
Pros
Cons
- FDA-recognized skin protectant: Clear claim support [1].
- Inert and hypoallergenic: Ideal for sensitive and post-procedure skin.
- Superior sensory: Silky, non-greasy feel.
- Proven hair benefits: Breakage and friction reduction [4].
- Stable: Unaffected by heat, pH, light, or microbes.
- Not biodegradable: Persists in the environment; excluded from many “clean” and natural standards.
- Consumer perception: Silicone-free demand is strong; ORY® should disclose clearly and offer alternatives.
- Hair buildup: Non-water-soluble grades accumulate; periodic clarifying shampoo needed.
- No inherent nourishment: Provides protection and feel, not vitamins or antioxidants.
- Soap-incompatible: Cold-process bars.
- Formulation care: Can be hard to emulsify at high levels; needs suitable emulsifiers.
What is the best application of Dimethicone?
Dimethicone is a protectant, primer, and conditioner:
- Barrier cream: 5–10% for chapped, chafed, or eczema-prone skin; skin-protectant labeling at 1–30%.
- Moisturizer or sunscreen: 2–5% for slip and water resistance.
- Primer: Pore- and line-smoothing base under makeup.
- Scar gel: Silicone gel applied twice daily to closed scars for 8–12 weeks [3].
- Hand cream: Protective, non-greasy.
- Hair serum or heat protectant: 1–2 drops on damp lengths before heat styling.
- Conditioner: Slip and detangling for damaged hair.
- Cosmetics: Long-wear foundation; mascara.
- Silicone-free option: ORY® offers squalane, CCT, and plant esters as alternatives for customers who prefer to avoid silicones.
Peer-reviewed references
- Nair B (Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel). Final report on the safety assessment of stearoxy dimethicone, dimethicone, methicone, amino bispropyl dimethicone, aminopropyl dimethicone, amodimethicone, amodimethicone hydroxystearate, behenoxy dimethicone, C24-28 alkyl methicone, C30-45 alkyl methicone, C30-45 alkyl dimethicone, cetearyl methicone, cetyl dimethicone, dimethoxysilyl ethylenediaminopropyl dimethicone, hexyl methicone, hydroxypropyldimethicone, stearamidopropyl dimethicone, stearyl dimethicone, stearyl methicone, and vinyldimethicone. International Journal of Toxicology. 2003;22(Suppl 2):11–35.
- Nolan K, Marmur E. Moisturizers: reality and the skin benefits. Dermatologic Therapy. 2012;25(3):229–233.
- Mustoe TA. Evolution of silicone therapy and mechanism of action in scar management. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2008;32(1):82–92.
- Gavazzoni Dias MFR. Hair cosmetics: an overview. International Journal of Trichology. 2015;7(1):2–15.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about dimethicone as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including scars, eczema, diaper rash, chafed or cracked skin, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Products that carry a Drug Facts label are over-the-counter skin protectant drugs; use them only as directed on that label. The statements above about cosmetics apply to ORY® products without a Drug Facts label.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Dimethicone rarely irritates skin, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
