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Dimethicone in skincare
Non-comedogenic; creates smooth skin feel and breathable barrier.
Excellent for both AM and PM. In AM, creates a smooth base for makeup and SPF. In PM, forms a breathable protective film that supports overnight barrier repair. FDA-approved as an OTC skin protectant for both time-of-day applications.
What it is
Dimethicone (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) deposits on skin surface, creating a water-resistant, breathable, smooth film. Functions as: emollient, skin protectant (FDA OTC at 1–30%), anti-pruritic, and texture enhancer. Non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and thermally stable. Used in scar therapy at high concentrations. Safe at all cosmetic concentrations (1–100%). The molecular film is gas-permeable. It does not 'suffocate' skin.
The facts
| Category | Silicone / Occlusive |
| Typical use | Morning and evening |
| Concentration YARAI treats as a full dose | 100% |
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. Dimethicone at 100% and dimethicone 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 dimethicone do in a skincare product?
Non-comedogenic; creates smooth skin feel and breathable barrier.
How much dimethicone should a product contain?
YARAI treats 100% 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 dimethicone?
Excellent for both AM and PM. In AM, creates a smooth base for makeup and SPF. In PM, forms a breathable protective film that supports overnight barrier repair. FDA-approved as an OTC skin protectant for both time-of-day applications.
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 2026-10-12. Nothing here is medical advice.