When it comes to makeup, few ingredients spark as much debate as silicones. Are they secretly sabotaging your skin, or are they quietly making your foundation flawless? Let’s unpack the truth behind these slippery substances.
What Are Silicones?
Silicones are synthetic ingredients derived from silica (a natural compound found in sand). In makeup, they’re primarily used for their texture-enhancing properties — making products glide smoothly, blur imperfections, and feel luxurious on the skin.
Common silicones you’ll find on ingredient lists include:
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Dimethicone
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Cyclopentasiloxane
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Cyclohexasiloxane
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Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Why Silicones Are Loved in Cosmetics
1. Silky Application: Silicones give makeup a smooth, spreadable texture. Your primer or foundation feels soft and velvety thanks to them.
2. Pore-Blurring Power: They sit on top of the skin, creating a lightweight barrier that fills in lines and pores for a more even surface — perfect for makeup application.
3. Long-Lasting Wear: Silicones are hydrophobic (water-repelling), which helps makeup stay put even in humidity or sweat.
4. Compatibility with Actives: They often serve as carriers for active ingredients, allowing better distribution and improved stability.
The Concerns About Silicones
1. Occlusive Properties: While silicones don’t clog pores in the traditional sense, they can form a film that traps dirt or sebum if skin isn't cleansed properly.
2. Build-Up Over Time: Some users report a “suffocated” feeling or dull skin with prolonged silicone-heavy product use. This is usually due to insufficient cleansing rather than the silicones themselves.
3. Environmental Impact: Certain volatile silicones, like cyclopentasiloxane, have raised sustainability concerns due to their bioaccumulative potential in aquatic environments.
Silicone-Free – Just a Trend?
Silicone-free makeup has become a buzzword — often marketed as “cleaner” or “better” for your skin. But this doesn’t mean silicones are harmful. Instead, it reflects a shift toward transparency and minimalism in beauty.
At exurbe, we focus on formulas that perform beautifully while aligning with your values — that means being selective with our ingredients and staying up to date with new research.
Bottom Line
Silicones aren’t villains — they’re functional, safe, and often help makeup perform better. But like any ingredient, they’re not for everyone. If your skin thrives without them, go silicone-free. If you love that blurred, smooth look — silicones might just be your skin’s secret ally.
What’s your experience with silicones in makeup? Let us know!
