Why choose silicone-free skin care?

Silicone ingredients: pros and cons

Silicon is a cosmetic ingredient that is found in many cosmetics, but there are mixed opinions about the ingredient.

Those in favor say that silicone is harmless to humans and there is no problem with using it in skin care.
It is an excellent ingredient that makes skin look beautiful and improves the feel of cosmetics when used.

On the other hand, opponents say that the skin-beautifying effects of silicone are only superficial.
In fact, it is believed that the skin itself is not actually healthier.

In order to choose the skin care that suits your lifestyle and skin type, it is important to first understand the advantages and disadvantages of each product. Then, it is important to make a decision that is right for you.

What is Silicon?

Its official name is silicone, and it is a semi-liquid substance derived from silica.

Silica is the main component of sand.
But that doesn't mean that silicon is naturally occurring, since silica goes through a significant chemical process to become silicon.

Silicone is neither water nor oil resistant and forms a resistant barrier-like film on the skin.

It's like a breathable film. Taking advantage of this property, it has been used for many years in the treatment of burns, as it allows the wound to breathe while protecting it from external stimuli.

Why it's used in skin care

As mentioned above, silicone creates an artificial film on the skin.
Therefore, when you apply a beauty serum or moisturizer that contains silicone to your skin, it can make the roughness on the surface of your skin feel smoother and more moisturized.

Silicone also has a unique texture.
The thick texture of lotions and milky lotions comes from silicone, which makes them easy to spread on the skin and creates a smooth texture.
The film that is created on the surface of the skin also makes the skin appear plumper.

However, these effects are temporary.
As it is washed off of your skin, the benefits are washed away too, meaning it doesn't improve your skin in the long term.

Does silicone really clog pores?

Silicone repels water and does not mix with oil.
Therefore, it can be quite difficult to remove silicone-based cosmetics properly. You need to use a strong cleanser or double cleansing to thoroughly wash them off.

However, washing or rinsing too much can lead to dry or sensitive skin , as it removes the sebum needed for the skin's natural moisture.

It may also be of concern to people with acne-prone skin or pore problems.
The barrier-like film that silicone creates protects the skin from external stimuli.
On the flip side, this also means that harmful substances are trapped on the surface of the skin, creating a seal on the skin.

This can worsen acne by trapping oil, dirt, and dead skin cells on the surface of acne-prone skin.

Generally speaking, silicones are not known to clog pores in and of themselves.
However, as mentioned above, trapping the substances that cause comedones may lead to acne and pore problems.

Silicone is not environmentally friendly

There are many types of silicone, and it is true that there is still much we do not know about it.
However, more research has revealed that silicone is bioaccumulative , meaning that after it is washed off, it accumulates in the environment and in aquatic organisms.

Silicon components have been detected in fish, birds, and mammals.
There are also concerns about the toxicity of silicone to the human body, and the EU has banned the use of some types of silicone.

How to spot silicone in cosmetics

After learning about silicone, some people may want to avoid it as much as possible. Make sure the full ingredients list does not include any ingredients ending in "methicone" or "siloxane."

Some commonly used silicone ingredients include:

• Dimethicone
• Cyclomethicone
• Cyclohexasiloxane
• Cetearyl Methicone
• Cyclopentasiloxane

After learning about the pros and cons, some people may decide that there is no need to avoid silicone.

But for those who want to make choices that are kinder to the skin and the environment, we recommend silicone-free skincare.