Silicone substances have been used in hygiene products since the 1950s, and silicone alone has been utilized since the Stone Age for tool-making. But what is silicone? And what is the role of silicone in haircare?
Why are manufacturers using Silicone?
Silicone is accessible and relatively inexpensive for many retailers. It is commonly derived from quartz, one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. Silicone oils are used in various items, from cosmetics to the automotive industry. They distribute liquids evenly and can be odorless, thus making them a versatile ingredient.
Cosmetic silicone ingredients are created through complex chemical reactions. It all starts with silicon-based minerals, like quartz. The mineral is processed and bonded with other mixtures to make rubber-like, translucent oil polymers.
Many silicone polymers in the beauty world remain on the skin and hair strands because of their non-biodegradable nature. The adhering property of silicone offers instant smoothing, softness, thermal protection, and water-repelling effects, which makes them appealing to all. Especially those with curly or chemically-treated hair battling frizz.
The amount of silicone within a hygiene product is noted safe by the FDA, but hair professionals are now curious about long-term usage and manufacturing. Additionally, if a change in scalp health should arise, will routine use of silicone-based products be beneficial or detrimental to the user?
Silicone Concerns
The scalp is self-regulating by nature. This cycle of absorbing and distributing nutrients is essential in maintaining good health and a youthful appearance. If silicone remains on the scalp or hair strands for long periods, it can block pores, lock in unwanted material, and repel proper hydration. This is detrimental to the average head of hair. A sensitive scalp is even more susceptible to irritation and permanent follicle damage. The condition of the scalp is ever-changing. It deserves proper maintenance and preventative measures, just like the care given to teeth.
Silicone-based ingredients have various names. Here is what you need to know. The two most common forms of silicone in cosmetics are non-soluble or water-soluble.
Non-soluble Silicones
Non-soluble simply means you can not break down or penetrate with water. If you’re applying non-soluble silicones to your hair, you must be aware of the possible damage. Some shampoo and conditioner duos only contain non-soluble silicone in the conditioning treatment. These manufacturers try to counteract conditioner buildup by including harsh detergents in their shampoos. The overall effect can make hair strands brittle and susceptible to breakage. Product labels typically list non-soluble silicones with “-cone” at the end of their name.
Look for these familiar non-soluble silicones ingredients:
Dimethicone
Dimethiconol
Cyclomethicone
Amodimethicone
Phenyl Trimethicone
Cetearyl Methicone
Water-Soluble Silicones
The beauty industry has been talking about the controversial use of silicone for a while. Some manufacturers use water-soluble silicones or silicones that dissolve in water. This form of silicone is chemically altered with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or sometimes sugars.
These silicones are utilized for their familiar detangling and styling effects but are easily removed by rinsing with water or a mild detergent. These ingredients are labeled with a “PEG” in their name. They vary in molecular weight, so “PEG” is followed by a numeric label and the identifying substance.
“The following silicones should be compatible with that type of hair care routine, and should provide many of the desirable effects of silicones, such as the addition of shine, moisturizing effects, thermal protection, and color retention, without any accompanying worries about buildup and frizz.
PEG-8 (or higher) Dimethicone
Bis-PEG-8 (or higher) Dimethicone
Bis-PEG-8/PEG-8 Dimethicone
Bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane
PEG-8-PG-coco glucoside dimethicone
Dimethicone PEG-X phosphate
Dimethicone copolyol (this is an older and less descriptive designation, but may still be found on some labels).”
https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/products-ingredients/water-soluble-silicones
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