Everything To Know About Using Silicone For Skin
Different skin care treatments use silicone in unique ways. Silicone, which helps encourage hydration and minimize fine wrinkles, is an ingredient in certain lotions and moisturizers. The majority of people can safely use silicone, however, if someone has a particular allergy or concern, they should get advice from a dermatologist.
In addition to discussing alternatives, this article examines the pros, cons, and uses of silicone in skin care products.
About Silicone
The natural substance “silic” is the source of silicone, which is converted into a component in skin care through a chemical procedure. Silicone is typically combined with the following ingredients according to studies:
- oxygen
- hydrogen
- carbon
Silicone is frequently listed by a different name by manufacturers.
How to Determine whether your Skincare Products include Silicones?
Since more and more companies are doing this daily, the simplest way to ensure that your skincare products are filler-free is to look for a label that reads “silicone-free” or “free from silicones.”
People should look for ingredient names that finish in “cones” to determine whether a skin care product contains silicone.
Other common names for silicone in cosmetics include:
It consist of:
- dimethicone
- cyclohexasiloxane
- cetearyl methicone
- cyclomethicone
- cyclopentasiloxane
Why Are Silicones Used In Skin Care Products?
You might not be aware of the numerous reasons why silicones are used in the skin care products. So, keep scrolling down.
- Silicones enhance a product’s feel and texture according to studies.
- They are frequently used in cosmetics to give them a matte, non-oily, non-sticky texture and to make them sweat- and water-proof.
- Researches say silicones provide a barrier that stops moisture loss and keeps the items in place without penetrating the skin.
- They are frequently utilized in liquid foundations and primers because of this.
- Silicones are excellent for leave-on skin care products since they fill in wrinkles and fine lines to make the skin look smoother.
How To Use Silicone For Skin?
Scars can be treated with the silicone products that are prescribed. Silicone is also present in a number of skincare items, including sunscreen, primers, moisturizers, and serums.
You can purchase silicone-containing items and utilize them according to the directions.
Benefits of Silicone to Skin
The following are some potential advantages of silicone for skin:
1. Skin elasticity
According to 2016 research, silicon is beneficial for fibroblast stimulation and collagen formation, which increases skin elasticity and strength. Fibroblasts are the primary cell of active tissue. Other products with a high silicone concentration also improve hair and nails.
2. May reduce scarring
A 2016 study investigated silicone’s topical application for scarring.
19 of the 224 participants had keloid scars, which are scar tissue that has formed a benign tumor anywhere on the body, and 205 of the participants had hypertrophic scars, which are raised scars that are limited to the damaged area.
For one to sixteen months, participants underwent topical therapy with a silicone patch. The findings showed that silicone enhanced the thickness, color, and suppleness of both types of scars.
3. Promotes hydration
Studies show that silicone lessens transepidermal water loss. This indicates that it develops a barrier on the skin that stops moisture loss and holds onto moisture. Preventing water loss aids in promoting skin hydrated.
4. Soothes skin
In addition, experts say that silicone benefits the skin:
- smoothness
- flexibility
- softness
Most moisturizers work to smooth out the skin’s texture by minimizing fine wrinkles.
Silicone gels are a popular treatment among medical professionals since studies have shown that they may be useful in wound healing and scar reduction.
5. Blendability:
Silicone enhances the consistency of a skincare product when mixed with other components.
According to Vargas, “it is a moisturizing agent that adds a lot of slide into a product to allow it to be more spreadable.” This facilitates application.
Side Effects of Silicone on Skin
Dermatologists say that silicone may produce adverse reactions and symptoms like:
- Irritation
- Burning
- Dryness
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Itching
- Redness
If you have any of these symptoms, stop using the product and see a doctor. Given silicone’s benefits for skincare, we have to question why it has such a poor reputation.
Svendsen asserts that silicone may aggravate conditions such as rosacea, acne, sensitive skin, or milia. She advises anyone who encounters any of these skin problems to think about dropping silicone from their product line.
She asserts that her skin (and hair) have never looked better since she stopped using silicone in her daily routine.
“Because we restrict, if not completely eliminate, silicone from our products, my teenage daughter and I have the clearest skin and nicest hair. Analyzing every aspect of a patient’s regimen and being able to spot sensitivity symptoms are two of my top goals as an esthetician.”
Lamb disagrees that silicone should be avoided unless you have a known silicone allergy, despite Svendsen’s anecdotal findings suggesting that silicone may contribute to a flare-up.
Vargas goes on to suggest that silicone isn’t always harmful to the skin. Because silicone has been shown to be safe, watchdog websites like Paula’s Choice believe that it is safe to use.
Why Silicone should be avoided?
Silicone is safe for the majority of people. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel determined silicone to be safe for use in skin care products including patches and moisturizers.
Dimethicone is one type of silicone that does not interact with the epidermis, the top layer of skin, making it unlikely that it would breach the skin barrier.
Silicone does not appear to hurt the majority of people. But before using it, people with acne might want to talk to their doctor or dermatologist about the likelihood of clogging pores with specific products or ingredients.
The main reason someone might want to avoid products that contain silicone is an allergic reaction. Although the investigation did not reveal any notable adverse responses, a person can experience an allergic reaction or develop an allergy to any component, including silicone.
If a person has any symptoms after using a silicone-containing product, they should see a doctor.
Before using a new product on their skin, people can consider performing a patch test and dabbing a small amount of it on their arm to make sure that no unfavorable reaction arises.
Alternatives to Silicone for Skin
There are numerous different items on the market that help to hydrate skin and lock in moisture. Products without silicone can be found here:
1. Ceramides
Ceramide-containing skincare creams and lotions are other excellent choices. Fatty acids included in ceramides help to seal in moisture in the skin and lessen dryness.
2. Essential oils
Different kinds of essential oils may aid in reducing fine wrinkles and treating conditions of the skin like dryness and inflammation. One such is lavender oil.
3. Hyaluronic acid
The molecular weight of hyaluronic acid facilitates its entry into the skin, according to a 2021 study. It hydrates and slows the aging process.
But talk to a Dermatologist Online before using Silicon
Silicone is derived from the “silic” natural chemical. But in order to produce the silicone used in skin care products, this chemical must go through a particular process. You may buy creams, lotions, and patches that include silicone.
The use of silicone on the skin may offer advantages, including smoothing the skin, facilitating wound healing, and retaining moisture.
