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Methyl Trimethicone

What Methyl Trimethicone is & what it does

A light, volatile silicone that imparts a dry, powdery slip and improves spread, evaporating to a non-greasy finish. It is a common low-residue silicone for SPF.

What is Methyl Trimethicone and what does it do in sunscreen?

Methyl Trimethicone is a light, volatile silicone used as an emollient. It gives a dry, powdery slip and helps the product spread evenly, then evaporates to leave a non-greasy finish. That makes it a common low-residue silicone in sunscreens that aim for a weightless feel.

Is Methyl Trimethicone safe?

Yes. Volatile silicones like Methyl Trimethicone are widely used and well tolerated, sitting on the surface of the skin and largely evaporating rather than soaking in. They are non-reactive and a common choice for people who want a light, breathable feel. It is not a known irritant or sensitizer for most people.

Does Methyl Trimethicone clog pores?

Generally no. As a volatile silicone it mostly evaporates after application and does not leave an occlusive film, so it is considered low risk for clogging pores. It is often chosen precisely to keep a sunscreen feeling light rather than heavy. Pore concerns usually trace back to the oils and waxes in a formula instead.

Is Methyl Trimethicone the same as dimethicone?

No, they are related but different. Both are silicones, but Methyl Trimethicone is volatile and evaporates for a dry, powdery slip, while dimethicone stays on the skin as a smoothing, longer-lasting film. Formulas sometimes use both to balance an initial light feel with lasting smoothness.

Is Methyl Trimethicone natural?

No, it is synthetic. Silicones are made in a lab from silicon (derived from sand) combined with other building blocks, so Methyl Trimethicone does not occur in nature. Synthetic here simply describes how it is made, not a safety concern.

Sunscreens with Methyl Trimethicone

We rate 159 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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