A silicone polymer used for slip, skin protection and texture in many skincare formulas.
Sources: 1, 2Polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Dimethicone
What it does
Creates a smooth surface film and can support a protective product feel.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Dry-feeling skin
- Smooth, protective textures
How to use it
Use the finished moisturizer or protectant according to its label; medicinal protectant claims require the appropriate product.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
A silicone-containing product can still irritate because of other ingredients. Drug skin-protectant claims require an appropriately labeled product.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
A flexible siloxane polymer spreads over the surface; chain length and viscosity vary by grade.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
An individual product can cause irritation or a contact reaction even when the polymer is well tolerated in other formulas.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
There is no one molecular weight or small-molecule structure for all dimethicone grades.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
- Exact material, composition and supplier-grade specifications
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
dimethicone
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
No single structure to show yet
This ingredient represents a mixture, extract, polymer or ingredient family. A single molecular diagram may not describe its composition.
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| material scope | Variable material or ingredient family: no single molecular formula, molecular weight or bond diagram describes every grade. | PubChem: Dimethicone polymer information |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (2)
Scientific sources
- PubChem: Dimethicone polymer informationingredient identity
- US eCFR: Skin protectant active ingredients, 21 CFR 347.10regulatory context
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