As most (if not all) of you know, I’m an ingredient junkie when it comes to what’s in skin care products, and if I won’t use a product myself, I won’t recommend it for you.  There are so many ingredients found in skin care products, that when used properly, can be great for your skin.  But there are also ingredients that are, in my opinion, not great for your skin either, and they should be avoided whenever possible.  One of my biggest “no-no’s” when it comes to ingredients is silicone, silicone derivatives, and silicone-based polymers.

What are silicones, and why are they in skin care products?

Silicones are used widely in skin moisturizing lotions, BB creams, CC creams, makeup foundation, and sunscreens.  They are used as an active ingredient, whose purpose is “skin protection” or “lubricant.”   Silicones are also used to make a product waterproof, and can therefore be more difficult to thoroughly wash off.  Silicones behave like a coating of liquid plastic on the skin; while they do prevent moisture loss and can even give the appearance of smoother skin, they will also trap oil, dirt, and other debris, which can lead to clogged pores.  Silicones don’t really contribute to the health or healing of your skin, as they do not contain any truly beneficial active ingredients.  If you are especially sensitive, or acne prone, avoiding silicones in skin care products is probably a good idea, especially if they are listed towards the top of the ingredients in your product; the higher an ingredient appears in an ingredient list, they more of that ingredient the product contains.

I don’t see “silicone” listed as an ingredient in my skin care product.  Are you sure it’s in there?

Most ingredient lists will not list “silicone” as an ingredient.  The following are some examples of different forms of silicones that you should look out for:  Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Siloxane, Polymethylhydrosiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, and Trimethicone.

What are some good alternatives to silicones?

There are many ways to make sure your skin gets the amount of moisture it needs, and you don’t need silicones to make that happen.  The type of moisturizer, its thickness, and the need for specific active ingredients can vary from person to person.  You might even find that the moisturizer you need in the winter can be thicker or heavier than the one you need in the summer.  Choosing moisturizers that are appropriate for your skin type can be really confusing because there are so many products available.  As an alternative to retail moisturizers, using natural, skin-friendly oils, can be one of the most effective (and least expensive) ways you can keep your skin hydrated and supple.  One of my favorite skin-friendly oils is jojoba oil.  It behaves similarly to your skin’s own natural sebum, and therefore won’t clog pores, and it is readily absorbed.  Jojoba oil is also anti-bacterial, and contains natural forms of vitamin E, which will help your skin fight environmental stress caused by pollutants.  At least one clinical trial indicates that jojoba oil is an effective treatment for acne.  When using jojoba oil, you don’t need to use a lot because a little goes a long way.  I also love using it as a massage oil, eye makeup remover, and carrier oil for essential oil blends.