The Beauty Glossary: D is for Dimethicone

Our Beauty Glossary is your definitive guide to every important beauty term ever. From A – Z, we’ll regularly fill you in on beauty ingredients, personalities, products and treatments, so you know exactly who or what to look out for in the beauty space.

Dim-eth-ee-kon

There’s an ongoing debate surrounding silicones, of which dimethicone is one, but it’s an ingredient that is most definitely worth testing on your skin because of its known benefits:

•Hypoallergenic and non-comodegenic (translation: relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction and specifically formulated so as not to cause blocked pores)
•Not known to sensitize the skin, making them very useful for irritated complexions
•Great for offsetting dryness from topical acne products
•Can help manage the flakiness and cracking eczema and psoriasis sufferers sometimes experience
•Particularly helpful for those with acne or scaly skin
•Visually softens skin by filling in fine lines and wrinkles
•Keeps moisture in the skin without being greasy and moist, even on, say, flights

Because of its fluid properties, dimethicone helps create improved texture in skincare, helping products to glide across the skin. It also helps to fill in pores or fine lines, which is why you’ll often find dimethicone on the ingredients list of primers. It can also act as a barrier over skin since the molecules are large, making it perfect for harsh weather conditions, whilst it’s also used as a skin protectant ingredient for wound healing and treatment of dry patches.

It is also effective in creating a mattified finish, so is popular in skincare products for those with oily skin or large pores. Dimethicone is also used in creams to protect mild skin irritations, dry patches or healing wounds, and is effective at locking in moisture thanks to its larger molecules.

1. 

   bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer

   Get the most out of your eye shadow palette with the bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer. Expect a velvety texture and a lightweight feel while this primer combats excess oil so your eyelids don’t shine, but your eyes do.

    

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2. 

   Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer

   Nothing gets you photo-ready like the Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer. This multi-tasking product diffuses light, blurs fine lines and pores and evens skin tone, giving you the perfect canvas for your makeup. It has skincare benefits too, helping to control shine but maintain moisture.

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3. 

   Ole Henriksen Nurture Me Soothing Creme (Sensitive) 50g

   A blend of nature’s best oils, rose mosquette oil, vitamins and dimethicone create a smooth, protective formula for sensitive skin types.

    

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4. 

   Paula's Choice Resist Simple Kit for Wrinkles and Breakouts

   Paula’s Choice Resist Simple Kit for Wrinkles and Breakouts does exactly what it says. Proven anti-ageing ingredients are packed into the Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming cleanser, Resist Daily Pore-Refining treatment, Resist Youth-Extending Daily Fluid SPF 50 and Resist Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator.

   Together these products create all the ammunition you need for reducing wrinkles, firming skin, clearing breakouts and minimizing pores, so your skin looks and acts half its age.

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5. 

   GLOSS Moderne High-Gloss Serum

   The Gloss Moderne High-Gloss serum transforms dull hair with high shine and unparalleled thermal protection. It’s lipgloss for your hair.

    

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6. 

   La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 Tinted Moisturizer

   La Roche Posay’s Anthelios 50 Mineral tinted moisturizer is sun care’s ace of spades. This high protection moisturizer combines unique, patent pending technology that provides UVA/UVB protection and a universal tint for most skin tones.

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