Dimethicone on an ingredient list: what Healthline says about this silicone

Reviewed October 17, 2026

The short answer

Dimethicone is a lab-made silicone. Per Healthline it makes formulas feel slippery and soft, stops them from splitting apart, and puts a film on skin that holds moisture in. Healthline reports that a Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel judged it safe in cosmetics, and also that anyone can react to any product.

What does it do in a product?

• Healthline: it keeps a formula blended and gives it a soft, slippery feel.
• Healthline: on skin the film traps hydration and lowers water loss, so it turns up in creams, lotions and some itch-relief products for dry skin.
• Healthline, quoting a dermatologist: in makeup it smooths over small wrinkles so color goes on evenly.
• Healthline: in hair products it coats each strand for shine, and it can accumulate, so a clarifying shampoo now and then is suggested.

What did the safety review say?

Healthline cites a 2019 report from the expert panel of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It says most non-prescription products hold under 15 percent dimethicone, and that the report found cosmetic use safe. Healthline also quotes a dermatologist who says nothing backs up public worry and that skin absorption is improbable given the molecule's size.

The pore-clogging debate

Healthline states that dimethicone is noncomedogenic. It also records an opposing view: since the film seals the surface, some people argue oil, sweat and dirt get stuck beneath it, which could block pores and cause breakouts. Treat the question as open for your own skin and watch how a product behaves.

Reaction signs

Healthline names itching, redness, burning, swelling, hives and irritation as possible allergy signs. Its advice is to wash the product away using a gentle cleanser and water, then stop using it. A provider visit is suggested if nothing improves in a few days, or immediately for a severe reaction.

How to read it on a label

US cosmetic labels generally list ingredients in descending order of amount, but anything at 1% or less can appear in any order after those above 1%. Its position does not tell you the exact concentration. Judge the whole product, how it feels on your skin, and what changes when you add or drop it.

What not to conclude

This page does not say dimethicone is right or wrong for your skin. It rests on one Healthline article from 2020 that cites the 2019 review and two interviews. If a product with it irritates your skin or your breakouts worsen, stop using it and ask a dermatologist.