Home › Ingredients › Amodimethicone
Amodimethicone in skincare
Amino-functional silicone with selective deposition on damaged hair; water-dispersible; far less buildup than standard dimethicone.
Used in rinse-off shampoos and conditioners, and leave-in hair treatments. AM and PM appropriate. Unlike non-modified dimethicone, amodimethicone is water-dispersible and rinses out far more cleanly. Significantly reduced buildup risk. Delivers targeted conditioning to damaged (most negatively charged) sites on hair.
What it is
Amodimethicone (amino-modified polydimethylsiloxane) is a reactive silicone polymer where amine groups (-NH₂/-NH-) have been grafted onto the dimethicone backbone. These amine groups carry a positive charge in aqueous conditioner formulations, enabling selective, targeted deposition onto the most damaged and negatively charged areas of the hair cuticle. Providing the greatest conditioning benefit precisely where it is most needed. Unlike non-modified dimethicone (which is water-insoluble and builds up with repeated use), amodimethicone is water-dispersible and washes out readily, dramatically reducing the buildup and weighting-down problems associated with standard silicones in hair care. Creates exceptional smoothness, shine, frizz reduction, and heat protection. Often formulated with a co-surfactant (such as PEG-7 propylheptyl ether or trideceth-6) to aid in dispersion. CIR Expert Panel reviewed as safe. Used at 0.1–3% in most formulations.
The facts
| Category | Amino-Modified Silicone / Hair Conditioning Agent |
| Typical use | Morning and evening |
| Concentration YARAI treats as a full dose | 3% |
Why the amount matters, not just the presence
Most ingredient checkers tell you whether something is in the bottle. That is a smaller question than it sounds. Amodimethicone at 3% and amodimethicone at a trace level are not the same ingredient in any way that affects your skin.
An ingredient list is ordered by quantity, so position carries real information. YARAI reads that position and scores accordingly, which is why the same ingredient can land differently in two different products.
The honest limit: a list gives order, not percentages. Estimating concentration from position is an estimate. It is a better estimate than ignoring position, and it is still an estimate. We would rather tell you that than let a number look more certain than it is.
Common questions
What does amodimethicone do in a skincare product?
Amino-functional silicone with selective deposition on damaged hair; water-dispersible; far less buildup than standard dimethicone.
How much amodimethicone should a product contain?
YARAI treats 3% as a full dose for this ingredient. Below that, the ingredient is present but is scored as contributing less. An ingredient list gives you the order of ingredients, not their percentages, so this is an estimate read from position rather than a measurement.
When should I use amodimethicone?
Used in rinse-off shampoos and conditioners, and leave-in hair treatments. AM and PM appropriate. Unlike non-modified dimethicone, amodimethicone is water-dispersible and rinses out far more cleanly. Significantly reduced buildup risk. Delivers targeted conditioning to damaged (most negatively charged) sites on hair.
Check your own products
Point your camera at a product. YARAI identifies it from the label, finds that product's full ingredient list from published sources, and scores it. No barcode and no box needed, which is how it handles imported and small-brand products.
Concern level, category and thresholds on this page are read directly from the same data the YARAI app scores with, so this page and the app cannot disagree. EU figures cite Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Last built 2026-09-09. Nothing here is medical advice.