Picture this: You smooth on your favorite moisturiser or primer, and instantly, your skin feels velvety, almost flawless. It’s a feeling many of us crave—skin that feels baby-soft and looks poreless. But what if that instant smoothness was only masking deeper issues lurking beneath your skin? In this post, we’re going to explore why silicones may offer a quick fix, but the long-term cost to your skin and the environment is more than you bargained for.
The Illusion of Smoothness: How Silicones Work
Silicones like Dimethicone and Cyclopentasiloxane are commonly used in skincare products to instantly create a smooth, silky finish. When you apply a product with these ingredients, your skin feels velvety and looks nearly flawless—perfect for makeup application. However, this smoothness is often an illusion.
While your skin may feel soft to the touch, silicones actually create an artificial barrier on the surface of your skin. This barrier traps dirt, oil, and bacteria beneath it, preventing your skin from "breathing" or releasing impurities. Over time, this can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and a dull, dehydrated complexion.
For a more in-depth look at how silicones work in cosmetics and skincare, check out this comprehensive article from Healthline.
The Environmental Impact of Silicones
The issues with silicones don’t stop with your skin—these ingredients also pose a significant threat to the environment. Silicones like Cyclopentasiloxane are chemically stable, meaning they take years to break down. When you wash off skincare products containing silicones, these chemicals enter waterways and accumulate in aquatic environments, contributing to long-term environmental degradation. It is thought that silicones may not degrade for hundreds of years!
A study by Montiel et al. (2019), published in Engineering in Life Sciences, highlights the low biodegradability of Cyclopentasiloxane and how it contributes to pollution. You can read more about their findings here.
In fact, silicones have been flagged as a potential environmental concern by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), particularly because they accumulate in aquatic ecosystems and pose risks to marine life.
Why Are Silicones Harmful to Your Skin?
So, if silicones can give you that instant smoothness, why are they harmful in the long run? Here are the main reasons:
- Clogged Pores and Breakouts: Silicones form a barrier on your skin that can trap dirt, bacteria, and sebum underneath, leading to clogged pores and potential breakouts.
- Dehydration and Dullness: The barrier silicones create may also prevent moisture from penetrating your skin, leading to dehydration and a lackluster complexion over time.
- Artificial Solutions: Silicones provide a short-term solution by making your skin feel smooth on the outside, but they don’t offer any real benefits to your skin's health. Unlike nourishing ingredients that penetrate and repair, silicones sit on top of the skin without providing lasting hydration or nutrients.
Where Are Silicones Hiding in Your Skincare?
Silicones are found in many mainstream skincare and beauty products. You might be surprised where they’re hiding in your routine:
- Primers and Foundations: Many makeup primers and foundations, like Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser, use Dimethicone to give a smooth, matte finish.
- Moisturisers: Products like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel contain Dimethicone, which creates a false sense of hydration by sitting on the skin’s surface.
- Sunscreens: Silicones are also present in many sunscreens for their water-resistant properties. Products like La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen include Cyclopentasiloxane to create a matte, non-greasy finish.
How to Transition to Silicone-Free Skincare
Switching to silicone-free skincare doesn’t have to be difficult. Look for products that focus on natural, nourishing ingredients that support your skin’s natural processes, rather than masking problems. Here are a few silicone-free alternatives that offer real hydration and long-term benefits:
- Luminary. The balm for Glow: This dew-inducing, anti-wrinkle moisturiser, is overflowing with splendidly indulgent, luxurious and potent plant oils, known to create a youthful luminosity. With a delightfully smooth, non-greasy texture, it’s easily absorbed, and deeply revitalizing, for a bright, smooth & supple gleam.
- Faithful. The balm for All: This rich & restorative super balm for face and body, will become your trusted best friend. Showcasing 9 sumptuously powerful oils, and 2 calming botanicals, this ultra natural, multi-purpose balm, for dry and flaky skin, truly is, the one for all.
- Innate. The balm for Cleansing: This gentle, soap-free facial cleansing balm is superbly soothing and supremely effective in removing the day’s makeup, SPF and impurities. It’s deeply hydrating, non-stripping formula supports and renews sensitive, dry and flaky skin types. Effortlessly melt away makeup & impurities, while preserving your skin's natural oils, maintaining it's lipid barrier, for a clean, balanced and refreshed complexion.
Conclusion: Nourish Your Skin—and Protect the Planet
While silicones might give you that instant, silky-smooth feeling, the long-term effects on your skin and the environment can be harmful. By choosing silicone-free skincare products, you’re not only nourishing your skin with real, natural ingredients but also doing your part to protect the planet. Opt for skincare that works from within, allowing your skin to heal and glow naturally.
If you’re ready to make the switch, check out our amazingly effective range here, without a silicone in sight!