Why Silicone In Skincare Is Good For Four Skin
The world of skincare can leave you scratching your head.
After all, there are so many different choices of formulas and ingredients, which can leave consumers feeling completely overwhelmed.
One of the ingredients that’s talked about a lot is silicone. Some people may assume silicone is harmful for skin, especially because it’s often given a bad name in beauty circles.
However, it may surprise you-- silicone can actually be good for your skin. Let’s explore why.
What Is Silicone?
First things first, silicone is a group of semi-liquid substances derived from silica.
What exactly is silica? Well, it’s an ingredient commonly used in cosmetic formulas.
Even though silica can be classed as the main component of sand, this doesn’t mean that it’s considered “natural” (unfortunately).
In fact, silica has to go through a chemical process to become silicone. It’s often mixed with carbon or hydrogen or even both. Even so, it’s thought of as low toxicity and resistant to heat.
Why Is Silicone Used in Skincare?
According to Vogue, dimethicone (also known as polydimethylsiloxane) is one of the most popular types of silicone used in cosmetics, haircare, and skincare.
Other common forms of silicone are:
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Cyclohexasiloxane
- Phenyl trimethicone
Dimethicone is favored because of its size. Large in nature, it doesn’t evaporate when it touches the skin.
Silicones, in general, feel like silk on the skin. This is why they can be used in creams, serums and other beauty products to create a soft, smooth and slightly mattified finish.
What Are the Benefits of Silicone in skincare?
Is silicone good for your skin? Well, it can actually benefit the skin in a number of ways that you may not realize.
Allow me to break these down for you.
- It Prevents Moisture Loss
Silicones are widely known for their occlusive properties. In other words, they form a barrier-like coating on the skin, which is resistant to water and air. Some experts refer to this as a “breathable film.”
Although silicone itself won’t improve hydration, it can increase skin’s moisture levels, eliminate dry patches, and soothe any irritation.
How does this work? By forming a barrier over the skin, silicone molecules lock in moisture and prevent it from breaking free.
When applied topically, silicone gives the skin a much-needed boost, resulting in a dewy-looking, hydrated effect. (Who needs an Instagram filter?)
- It’s Healing
Silicones can be used medically because they have unique healing effects.
Truth be told, burn units have used them for years as a way of healing and protecting a wound while allowing it to “breathe.”
The occlusive nature of silicones also improves scarring by ensuring the wound stays in its own little bubble until it has healed.
- It’s Easy to Apply
Given their slick and velvety texture, silicones allow for easier application of skincare products.
Each molecule provides slip and forms a filmy coating on the outer layer of the skin. This makes it more spreadable without it feeling too heavy on the skin.
To put it simply, a little goes a long way!
As a result, silicones smooth the skin’s surface texture, filling in pores and fine lines and giving you that flawless finish we all lust after.
- It’s Mattifying
Dimethicone, in particular, vastly improves the texture of many skin products. It acts as an emulsifier, which prevents other ingredients from separating.
The result? A mattified finish, making people with oily skin or large pores everywhere do a celebratory dance.
Silicones even stay put when the skin gets wet, meaning that you can reap the rewards for longer.
- It Works Well On Its Own
Another perk of using silicone in skincare is that it doesn’t need added chemicals to keep its modules stable.
According to Byrdie, it has no “active” properties, like an antioxidant and glycolic acid. It doesn’t react with other ingredients or break down when exposed to air or light, which is why it’s considered stable.
This differs from other skincare ingredients, such as essential oils and peptides, that have to be mixed with preservatives or stabilizers to keep them from breaking down too early.
(And it’s these preservatives and stabilizers that end up being toxic for the skin.)
Silicone can even enhance the absorption of other ingredients, allowing the skin to soak up valuable nutrients it needs for optimal health.
Why Is Silicone Given a Bad Name?
There is some debate among skincare enthusiasts whether dimethicone and other silicones can clog pores. Some even say that it can cause breakouts and worsen acne-prone skin.
Having said that, this is a common myth. There currently aren’t any studies to support the negative effects of silicone.
After all, the barrier it forges between your skin and the environment is permeable. Quick science class refresher: this means that liquids and gases are able to pass through it.
How Can I Use Silicone to Better My Skin’s Health?
If you’re sold on the benefits of silicone for your skin’s health, we don’t blame you. There are two main ways you can use it for a bright, even and regenerated appearance.
Use Silicone Products
The first way that you can apply silicone to the skin is through silicone-infused skincare products, including:
- Hydrating creams
- Serums
- Oils
- Moisturizers
- Primers
Simply check the ingredients label of a particular product for silicone before you make a purchase.
Use a Silicone Facial Cleanser Brush
The second way of utilizing the benefits of silicone for skin is by investing in a silicone facial cleansing brush, or a silicone facial cleansing massager. This is an electric device that you can use every day to level up your skincare routine.
Benefits of Silicone Facial Cleanser Brushes
One of the major benefits of a sonic facial cleanser brush is that it uses sonic pulses to reach deep into your pores, removing acne-causing impurities, softening your skin, and reducing signs of aging. And the good stuff doesn’t end there.
miglo's silicone facial cleansing device, for example, has super soft bristles that allow you to get a deep clean but not at the cost of abrasion or irritation.
As well as being gentle enough for all skin types, it also has a massaging basin on the back side. This allows for increased absorption of your favorite oils, serums, and moisturizers, thus improving their advantages.
Additionally, a facial cleanser massager or brush made out of silicone is the most hygienic option.
How come? Well, it’s non-porous, antimicrobial, and doesn’t harbor bacteria.
To put it another way, you can apply silicone-infused skincare products to your silicone brush to ultimately accelerate the effectiveness of silicone!
How to Use a Silicone Facial Cleanser Brush
Figuring out how to use a facial cleansing massager brush like miglo is really straightforward. Here’s a speedy step-by-step guide:
1. Remove your makeup, wet your face, and wet your device. Apply a small amount of cleanser to your face.
2. Turn on your device.
3. Use small circular motions to gently cleanse all areas of your face. Add more cleanser if you need it.
4. Turn off your device.
5. Rinse and dry your face with a towel. You can also rinse and dry your cleansing device.
Continue with the rest of your skincare routine as normal.
The Takeaway
There are several benefits of silicone for skin health, from healing damaged skin to preventing moisture loss.
Apply skincare products that feature silicone as an ingredient and use a silicone facial cleansing massager brush as part of your daily routine to maximize these benefits.
