Overall, dimethylsiloxane can improve the feel, shelf life, and even efficacy of other ingredients in skin care products. In detail, it can be expressed as:
Create silky texture: The main reason why silicone (including polydimethylsiloxane) is used in skin care products is that it can make the product experience more pleasant. Make the experience feel more silky and smooth, make the product light, non-greasy, and can be pushed away quickly.
Sealing, moisturizing and hydrating: Dimethicone is occlusive, which means that it can form a waterproof film on the skin to achieve a sealing and moisturizing effect and prevent external stimuli and pollutants from invading the skin surface. It forms a barrier on the skin to prevent transdermal moisture loss. (This is also a feature of silicones that are often misunderstood and criticized.)
Does not cause acne: Although it is occlusive, polydimethylsiloxane is a non-comedogenic component. It is usually an oil-free formula that provides long-lasting hydration but does not clog pores. But most products on the market can cause irritation not because of this ingredient, but because this ingredient is together with other ingredients or directly other ingredients.
Oil control: This ingredient is often used in facial products, especially cosmetics. It can evaporate sweat and control the luster of oily skin so as not to form a large oil field.
Improve the absorption efficiency of the product: It can help seal the skin's moisture, and in the process can make other ingredients in the product more effective.
Skin protection: It acts as a skin protection ingredient against external moisture and irritants that can cause contact dermatitis.
Improve skin texture: Another wonder of this ingredient is that it can diminish fine lines on the face and give the skin a smooth and soft texture, which is why it often appears in makeup milk.
Emollient: As an emollient, polydimethylsiloxane can soften and soothe the skin, and is lighter and non-greasy than other similar ingredients.