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Answer: Dimethicone is not currently banned worldwide, but health agencies have flagged concerns. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: low. Commonly found in: CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion, Benefit The POREfessional Primer, L'Oreal Infallible Foundation.
TL;DR: Dimethicone is allowed in the EU but allowed in the US (emollient).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name DIMETHICONE. Also called Polydimethylsiloxane. CAS 9006-65-9.
Other names: Polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, Dimethyl Polysiloxane
| EU status | Allowed |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | low |
| Where it shows up | CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion, Benefit The POREfessional Primer, L'Oreal Infallible Foundation, Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Serum |
| CAS number | 9006-65-9 |
Dimethicone is a silicone polymer (polydimethylsiloxane) that exists as a clear, odorless oil or gel depending on molecular weight (viscosity grades 50–12,500 cSt). It is one of the most widely used cosmetic ingredients globally for its unique skin-feel properties.
Used as an emollient, slip agent, anti-frizz agent (hair), skin protectant, and carrier. It fills in fine lines and pores optically, creates a smooth skin feel, and reduces transepidermal water loss without the greasiness of traditional oils.
Dimethicone has an excellent safety record. The CIR has reviewed it extensively and confirmed safety at cosmetic use concentrations. It is non-allergenic, non-comedogenic, and does not penetrate intact skin. It is FDA-approved as an OTC skin protectant (1–30%). Environmental concerns exist because high-molecular-weight dimethicone is not biodegradable and accumulates in aquatic sediments; this is a sustainability concern rather than a human health issue. No carcinogenic or endocrine effects are documented.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Dimethiconewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Squalane or plant-based oils for those wishing to avoid silicones; soybean oil-derived emollients for anti-frizz applications.
Dimethicone is non-comedogenic and generally does not cause acne. It sits on the skin surface and does not penetrate pores. Some people find it occlusive in combination with other pore-clogging ingredients, but dimethicone itself is not the culprit.
No. It is one of the most thoroughly studied cosmetic ingredients, with an excellent safety record from the CIR and FDA. The environmental concern about its persistence in aquatic environments is valid but is an eco-impact issue, not a human toxicity issue.
Yes. Dimethicone is the most common cosmetic silicone. It belongs to the polysiloxane family and is distinct from other silicones like cyclomethicone.
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