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Are Silicones Bad For Skin?
Silicones are a group of ingredients used in a great variety of makeup and skincare products: primers, foundations, moisturizers, conditioners etc. However, there is an ongoing debate in the beauty world about whether or not silicones are bad for skin. Is this true?
What are silicones?
Silicones are chemical derived substances that have occlusive properties. To identify silicones in an ingredient list you should check ingredients ending in “methicone” or “cone” (like Dimethicone): they’re likely to be silicones.
Why are they used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Silicones create a film on the skin, locking moisture in and keeping skin moisturized, but not allowing it to breathe. They also fill in skin imperfections (such as fine lines and acne scars) giving the illusion of a flawless skin. In haircare products, they are used to coat the hair, leaving it soft, smooth and shiny. In addition, they also add slip to a product.
Side effects
The molecule of silicones are too big to penetrate the skin and therefore lie on the surface, trapping moisture in. However they also trap dirt, sebum and bacteria. That’s way prolonged use of silicones can lead to skin allergies or irritations and cause breakouts. In addition, large doses of silicone can be toxic.
Should you avoid silicones?
Silicones aren’t a problem for all skin types. Most people can use silicones without experiencing any negative reaction. I’ve used them for years and never had any problems at all. But if a product containing silicones breaks you out, you might want to stop using it and avoid these ingredients. On the other hand, if a product works well for you, there is no reason why you should stop using it just because it contains silicones.
Related Posts:
- Is Mineral Oil Bad for Skin?
- Know You Ingredients: Dicaprylyl Carbonate
- Know Your Ingredients: Octyl Palmitate
- Know Your Ingredients: Panthenol
- Know Your Ingredients: Lecithin
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hmm, this ingredient doesn’t seem to cause any problem for me. i tried tarte clean slate and find it super mattifying. then someone told me it contains lots of silicon and not good and etc… well, it doesn’t cause me any problem but just too matte.
Ooops, I wasn’t meant to publish this today but tomorow! I was just editing it and must have clicked publish instead of edit, hence why there were so many mistakes. But I fixed them and added the finishing touches to the post now
Silicones don’t cause any problems for me either. Everyone’s skin is different and most people can tolerate them quite well. I don’t really see any reason to stop using a product that works just because it contains silicones. I’ve never tried that tarte primer but it sounds like it works a bit too well lol. It would probably work really well for someone with oily skin.
I think it really depends on the person’s skin! I have heard a lot of people allergic to it, but some swear by it
this is helpful article 
thanks
i am one of the unfortunate ones. everything with silicone just breaks me out!
Nikki: it really does. For example, those with nomal skin can use silicones without any negative reactions, while if you have sensitive skin they’ll probably break you out. And you’re welcome
prettybeautiful: I’m sorry to hear that. Those with sensitive skin are likely to experience negative reaction with silicones
i dont think ive had much reaction to silicone but i wouldnt be surprised if it was that stuff gave me blackheads lol
Nic nic, there are lots of ingredients that can clog pores and cause blackheads, butu it is possible that they were caused by silicones. Maybe try and avoid them for a while and see what happens.