Silicones in Hair & Skin Products

PeppermintPatty

PeppermintPatty

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These days silicones are in a lot of our hair and body products. They are meant to smooth hair , stopping it from frizzing and also used in many skin care products.

Silicones are the ingredients that usually ending in ‘cone’ ‘zane’ or ‘cane.’They are synthetic polymers that repel water so are often found in waterproof products.

Silicones are either water soluble or non water soluble. Non water soluble products are not easy to get rid of . After using them in your hair, clarifying shampoo is usually needed to get rid of them or a build up can develop, leaving hair dry , lifeless and weighed hair down.

Silicones trap water in by creating a barrier but this same barrier prevents water from getting into your hair also. Too many silicones can also plug up hair follicles causing hair loss. They can also prevent air from getting to hair follicles which isn’t healthy.

Silicones in skin products can clog up pores preventing sweat from escaping. Sweating helps the body to regulate temperate and also helps to release toxins.

How do you feel about silicones in your hair and skin products.
 

Jules said:
Interesting info. I’ve been thinking about changing my product(s) because they seem to weigh my hair down and I don’t have as much shine lately.

Have you tried the baking soda/shampoo and vinegar rinse to remove build up.
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No. I just try not to use any silicones in my hair. My hair is dry, coarse and curly so absorbs products well which has its downsides. It looks and feels wonderful for the first day and by 3 looks like an SOS pad.

I started using some body wash my husband bought for me and didn’t realize how much it was plugging my pores until I stopped using it. It was partially preventing me from sweating. Once I start using some soap I can instantly feel a difference. I had just forgotten about the impact silicones has on my hair and skin.
 

I spend so much time reading labels, trying to find face and neck products without any dimethicone or similar ingredient.

After using some well reviewed Neutrogena and other brand name moisturizers, I found little white bumps on my face. It took some research to find the culprit causing the bumps is dimethicone. Dimethicone is in so many face products. It's in many cosmetics and all kinds of body products to make the product slippery to apply to the skin. But, as you said, it clogs the pores. It took a new approach, exfoliating, stridex pads, acne wash, and so on over a period of months to get those little buggars to go!

Another product that bugs my skin is glycerin. It just seems to stick and is a job to wash off. After looking for weeks for a fragrance free basic face wash, I found one where glycerin was near the bottom of the ingredient list. Still annoying to wash off, but not as bad as when it is near the top 5 ingredients, sometimes within the top 3. Even a new to me acne face wash has glycerin high up in the ingredient list, that one slipped by my scrutiny.

I tried micellar water and could not stomach how it felt so greasy. It also does not remove makeup well, and still requires double cleansing with other products-for me. I don't use much makeup at all, so micellar water was not for me.

I do use alcohol free witch hazel, so cooling and refreshing. I think mine is also a rose water blend. A nice old fashioned and basic product.

Winter is rough on me, have sensitive complexion anyway, so trying to find a skin protectant from the cold and dry winter air is an ongoing crusade. Last winter I used rosehip essential oil, it seemed to help and also faded a sun spot a bit.

Have you tried a bit of oil to soothe your curls/dryness? My hair is nearly straight, but sometimes it spazzes out in the dry weather or when it's very humid, I just wet my hands with a bit of water and smooth out the big hair look. I don't think that would work for you, that was why I wondered about the oil?
 
Owlivia said:
I spend so much time reading labels, trying to find face and neck products without any dimethicone or similar ingredient.

After using some well reviewed Neutrogena and other brand name moisturizers, I found little white bumps on my face. It took some research to find the culprit causing the bumps is dimethicone. Dimethicone is in so many face products. It's in many cosmetics and all kinds of body products to make the product slippery to apply to the skin. But, as you said, it clogs the pores. It took a new approach, exfoliating, stridex pads, acne wash, and so on over a period of months to get those little buggars to go!

Another product that bugs my skin is glycerin. It just seems to stick and is a job to wash off. After looking for weeks for a fragrance free basic face wash, I found one where glycerin was near the bottom of the ingredient list. Still annoying to wash off, but not as bad as when it is near the top 5 ingredients, sometimes within the top 3. Even a new to me acne face wash has glycerin high up in the ingredient list, that one slipped by my scrutiny.

I tried micellar water and could not stomach how it felt so greasy. It also does not remove makeup well, and still requires double cleansing with other products-for me. I don't use much makeup at all, so micellar water was not for me.

I do use alcohol free witch hazel, so cooling and refreshing. I think mine is also a rose water blend. A nice old fashioned and basic product.

Winter is rough on me, have sensitive complexion anyway, so trying to find a skin protectant from the cold and dry winter air is an ongoing crusade. Last winter I used rosehip essential oil, it seemed to help and also faded a sun spot a bit.

Have you tried a bit of oil to soothe your curls/dryness? My hair is nearly straight, but sometimes it spazzes out in the dry weather or when it's very humid, I just wet my hands with a bit of water and smooth out the big hair look. I don't think that would work for you, that was why I wondered about the oil?
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I had a horrible time with dimethicone and a harder time figuring out what it was and why my hair and skin didn’t like it.

I also like witch hazel and rose water. They are wonderful products. I use apple cider vinegar a lot also.

Rose hip oil is a great anti aging essential oil that’s used in many all natural products.

I do use oil in my hair. I actually oil my hair before I wash it. Sometimes I use a small amount when it’s dry. I use coconut oil mixed with a vitamin E capsule.

I rub a quarter sized amount into my hands first and scrunch it into the ends. By the end of the day it’s usually soaked in.

With some all natural conditioners I can put a bit in a small spray bottle and top the rest up with water. I spray when needed

Thanks for your contribution.
 
Jules said:
Interesting info. I’ve been thinking about changing my product(s) because they seem to weigh my hair down and I don’t have as much shine lately.

Have you tried the baking soda/shampoo and vinegar rinse to remove build up.
Click to expand...
I also discovered one day that I’m sensitive to baking soda. If it’s in any products my shin breaks out in red bumps . Baking soda is used in many natural deodorants. That’s how I found out. Thanks anyway.
 
Owlivia said:
I spend so much time reading labels, trying to find face and neck products without any dimethicone or similar ingredient.

After using some well reviewed Neutrogena and other brand name moisturizers, I found little white bumps on my face. It took some research to find the culprit causing the bumps is dimethicone. Dimethicone is in so many face products. It's in many cosmetics and all kinds of body products to make the product slippery to apply to the skin. But, as you said, it clogs the pores. It took a new approach, exfoliating, stridex pads, acne wash, and so on over a period of months to get those little buggars to go!

Another product that bugs my skin is glycerin. It just seems to stick and is a job to wash off. After looking for weeks for a fragrance free basic face wash, I found one where glycerin was near the bottom of the ingredient list. Still annoying to wash off, but not as bad as when it is near the top 5 ingredients, sometimes within the top 3. Even a new to me acne face wash has glycerin high up in the ingredient list, that one slipped by my scrutiny.

I tried micellar water and could not stomach how it felt so greasy. It also does not remove makeup well, and still requires double cleansing with other products-for me. I don't use much makeup at all, so micellar water was not for me.

I do use alcohol free witch hazel, so cooling and refreshing. I think mine is also a rose water blend. A nice old fashioned and basic product.

Winter is rough on me, have sensitive complexion anyway, so trying to find a skin protectant from the cold and dry winter air is an ongoing crusade. Last winter I used rosehip essential oil, it seemed to help and also faded a sun spot a bit.

Have you tried a bit of oil to soothe your curls/dryness? My hair is nearly straight, but sometimes it spazzes out in the dry weather or when it's very humid, I just wet my hands with a bit of water and smooth out the big hair look. I don't think that would work for you, that was why I wondered about the oil?
Click to expand...
I'm going to look at all my products. I've been getting the little bumps. I think called " comedone"? . Those are the hard white bumps not whiteheads.
I'm trying to be more aware of products.
 
I love when my hair goes frizzy... I've got naturally wavy, curly hair, so I don't mind lol!

I've cured my oily hair problems by alternating between honey shampoos and honey applications once every three months, then using coconut shampoo and coconut oil for deep conditioning.

Yesterday after our tennis session, all that sweating gave me super frizzy and nice natural perm look hehehe...
 
PeppermintPatty said:
How do you feel about silicones in your hair and skin products.
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Never thought about it, but you make some interesting points, I will think about it.

Silicones are polymers made using silicon (Si). Si has properties closer to carbon than any other element. And like carbon there are an infinite number of compounds and polymers that have some similarity to organic (carbon based) compounds, except that they are not biodegradable. Makes silicone very useful, and silicones are found in many commercial products. Picture is a silicone calk, could do the same with carbon, but mayonnaise would not seal windows very well.
Caulking.jpg


I have often wondered if any of these silicone polymers might substitute in our bodies for organic ones. For better or worse, don't know which or if it really is possible. I don't want to start a fear of silicone based polymers, I'm just talking. However there is no reason silicone based DNA or proteins could not be made. If they are not already being...

Silicon or silicone based life forms maybe possible, which leads to a lot of interesting speculation.

Could silicon be the basis for alien life forms, just as carbon is on Earth?
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/could-silicon-be-the-basi/
 
Alligatorob said:
Never thought about it, but you make some interesting points, I will think about it.

Silicones are polymers made using silicon (Si). Si has properties closer to carbon than any other element. And like carbon there are an infinite number of compounds and polymers that have some similarity to organic (carbon based) compounds, except that they are not biodegradable. Makes silicone very useful, and silicones are found in many commercial products. Picture is a silicone calk, could do the same with carbon, but mayonnaise would not seal windows very well.
View attachment 296998


I have often wondered if any of these silicone polymers might substitute in our bodies for organic ones. For better or worse, don't know which or if it really is possible. I don't want to start a fear of silicone based polymers, I'm just talking. However there is no reason silicone based DNA or proteins could not be made. If they are not already being...

Silicon or silicone based life forms maybe possible, which leads to a lot of interesting speculation.

Could silicon be the basis for alien life forms, just as carbon is on Earth?
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/could-silicon-be-the-basi/
Click to expand...
Interesting. I’m not sure if silicone could be the basis for other life forms but do know that silicones are bad for our planet, especially the non water soluble types.
Not that we seem to care about other animal species. 🙁

Great link but it’s a bit over my head. I’m not that smart.
 
That's good information to know. I just looked at my spray on hair products, I have two brands, not aerosol. They do not appear to contain any of this but they are plant based, not tested on animals, from the health food store.
 
Remy said:
That's good information to know. I just looked at my spray on hair products, I have two brands, not aerosol. They do not appear to contain any of this but they are plant based, not tested on animals, from the health food store.
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If you purchase your hair and skin products from a health food store they most likely won’t contain and silicones. I usually purchase all my shampoos and soaps from the health food store but it’s a 3 hour round trip.
 
Last week while in a hotel, both days my hair was great after washing it. Not sure if it was the water or the shampoo. Wish I’d thought to bring home the leftover shampoo. It wasn’t a brand name so that wouldn’t have really told me anything.
 
Jules said:
Last week while in a hotel, both days my hair was great after washing it. Not sure if it was the water or the shampoo. Wish I’d thought to bring home the leftover shampoo. It wasn’t a brand name so that wouldn’t have really told me anything.
Click to expand...
Hotels usually have great water softeners which I think makes a huge difference. We have no water softener here and being so close to the ocean, we get a lot of salt/ minerals. When we go to hotels I find the same thing. It’s a good point to consider.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
How do you feel about silicones in your hair and skin products.
Click to expand...

It really annoys me that every 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner nowadays uses them. I detest that when I touch my hair it leaves my hand slippery like I sprayed WD40 on it. I've tried every brand I can find and they all leave the slippery residue. Most also leave my hair too flat, I only found one that lets my hair keep some of its natural wave/bounce.
 
HoneyNut said:
It really annoys me that every 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner nowadays uses them. I detest that when I touch my hair it leaves my hand slippery like I sprayed WD40 on it. I've tried every brand I can find and they all leave the slippery residue. Most also leave my hair too flat, I only found one that lets my hair keep some of its natural wave/bounce.
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I won’t touch 2 in 1 products. No one product can do it all for my hair.
I had the same frustration with a lot of hair products. The silicones are also very harmful to our environment

Lately I’ve switched to shampoo bars, the reason being that between the minerals in our water and hair conditioner, my hair was getting really weighed down. Conditioner softens hair but it also attracts dirt easier which weighs it down . Then when you brush or comb it, you spread the dirt to your roots.

At first I was just using the bar soap on it own. The first time , it was super squeaky clean and soft, the second time , not as much. Now I condition the bottom of my hair first and just wash my scalp and top part which is working really well.

The shampoo bar itself isn’t made of all natural ingredients but it does seem to make my hair look thicker and strengthen it which makes for a ‘happy hair day.’
 
Remy said:
That's too bad. I have them right in town. Have you thought of ordering online?
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Yes, that’s what I do now and it’s just as good; actually better, since I don’t have to drive.
 

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