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Dimethicone

What Dimethicone is & what it does

A silicone that gives a smooth, silky slip and forms a light, breathable film that reduces water loss and improves water resistance. It helps sunscreens spread evenly and feel less greasy.

What does Dimethicone do in sunscreen?

Dimethicone is a silicone that gives sunscreen its smooth, silky glide and helps it spread evenly, which matters for even UV coverage. It also forms a light, breathable film that reduces water loss and can improve water resistance.

Is Dimethicone safe?

Yes. Dimethicone is inert, non-irritating and one of the better-tolerated cosmetic ingredients, suitable even for sensitive skin. It sits on the surface and is not absorbed.

Does Dimethicone clog pores or suffocate skin?

No. Despite the myth, dimethicone is non-comedogenic and forms a breathable, permeable film rather than an airtight seal. It lets water vapour through, so it does not "suffocate" skin for most people.

Is Dimethicone natural?

No, dimethicone is a synthetic silicone. It traces back to silica (sand) but is heavily processed into a man-made polymer, so it is not a "natural" ingredient. It is inert and one of the better-tolerated ingredients, so synthetic here is not a downside.

Is Dimethicone safe to use during pregnancy?

Dimethicone has no known pregnancy concern. It is an inert silicone that sits on the skin's surface, is not absorbed, and is one of the better-tolerated ingredients there is.

Sunscreens with Dimethicone

We rate 3368 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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