How do we know if we want to see silicon (…or wait a minute, is it silicone?) on the back of our product’s label?

In this column, we talk about the ingredients listed on our self-care products. We know how tough it can be to understand the gibberish that is often disguised as an ingredient. In our mission to promote healthy skin, and a healthier lifestyle & world in general, we believe that the first step is advocating for educated consumption. Practice self-love by knowing exactly what you’re putting in your body AND on your body.

What you should always remember when looking at a list of ingredients:

• The list goes in order from greatest to least, with the main ingredient being first.
• If it sounds like a science experiment, it’s probably not good for you.
• As a general rule – the fewer ingredients, the better.

Differences and similarities: Silicon vs. Silicone

Silicon and silicone are both very useful to humankind. While they sound similar, and are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably, they couldn’t be more different. One is beneficial for the health of your skin & your body – while the other, you want to be avoiding. But which is which?

Silicon is a naturally occurring mineral, an element found on the periodic table and is present in plants, animals and water. It’s well-known for its functionality in computers & microelectronics (hence, Silicon Valley). It’s also proved itself as essential for the body due to its level of integrity in the hair, skin and nails. When mixed with oxygen, silicon becomes silicon dioxide – your everyday sand. And then when it’s altered even further with other elements, you’ll get silicone.

Silicone is what’s used in implants, water repellent coatings and lubricants; it’s also widely used in self-care products – from moisturisers, to blushes, to shampoos. Even though it’s a derivative of the natural element silicon, it goes through a lot of changes before it ends up in our beauty products.

Silicone, or rather silicones (because it comes under many different names) are the ingredients that give products those soft, silky luxurious features; they’re the same additives behind sweat-resistant sunscreens, makeup setting sprays and any product that claims to have a “48-hour long-lasting effect”. Think of it like a plastic seal, which fills crevices of the skin or hair shafts to make it look and feel silky & smooth. It might make you think, “Wow, this product really works!” But it’s only a superficial effect, and in the long run, it can end up doing more harm than good.

No matter your skin type, silicones are the ingredient that you should avoid – but why?

Top reasons to avoid silicone

Seals in moisture – and everything else
Silicones in skincare products act like a plastic wrap on the skin’s surface. This gives it the effect of “locking in moisture” – but it also locks in everything else, including bacteria, sweat and dirt, not to mention sebum & dead skin cells.

Major contributor to break outs
Over time, the build up of oil, bacteria & skin cells underneath a layer of silicone can lead to congestion and increase the likelihood of acne. If you are already someone who is prone to breakouts, cutting silicones from you beauty regime might be the one thing standing between you and clearer skin.

Silicones provide little nourishment to your skin
Contrary to how your skin might feel (and what the labels claims), when you use skincare products concentrated with silicones, your skin isn’t being hydrated or nourished. It only offers a short-term smoothing factor. And unlike natural botanical ingredients like almond oil, aloe vera or shea butter that actually feed the skin, silicones provide no nourishment themselves.

Hinders absorption of other ingredients
If you follow a skincare routine that includes more than one product, then you could possibly not be getting all the goodness from all products. And wasting your money. Silicones act as a layer and prevent anything from getting out, or coming in – making your skincare much less effective.

How to pick out silicones on an ingredient list

The many shade(y) pseudonyms that silicones banner their name under makes them hard to identify. Since they’ve become a new norm in skin & hair care, it’s important to keep an eye out (or on) the ingredients. The simplest way to pick out silicones on a product label is to look for words that end with:

-cone, such as:
Amodimethicone
Cyclomethicone
Dimethicone
Methicone
Trimethicone
Trimethylsilylamodimethicone

-siloxane, such as:
Cyclopentasiloxane
Polydimethylsiloxane

-conol, such as:
Dimethiconol

The verdict

Silicon is an element found mostly in nature, one that can support the inner workings of the body’s hair, skin & nails. Whereas silicones (while offering a seemingly exceptionally delightful skin care experience), are an ingredient you should really try to limit having in your beauty & self-care products. They are hidden on ingredient lists under a variety of names and only provide a temporary, surface effect.

How I would suggest to go about using silicones is to choose your enemies: a mascara with silicone can give you great lashes, and only covers a small part of your body; while a moisturizer that coats your entire body isn’t going to be beneficial for your skin in the long-term. So, if you must, pick your poison consciously.