Most of us have already heard about the risks associated with the use of silicone breast implants, but did you know that you can find silicones in your skin care products too?

Inert (inactive), man-made compounds, silicones have a wide range of applications as sealants, lubricants, coatings, etc. They are also used medically (silicone sheets and gels can heal scars, for example, as in a product like [Link Removed] and in a number of personal care products including shampoos, hair conditioners and hair gels.

There are two silicones primarily used in personal care – dimethicone (also known as polydimethylsiloxane) and cyclomethicone. Dimethicone can be found widely in skin moisturizers as a skin protectant – it also imparts a silky feeling to skin. Both silicones sit on top of the skin and create a barrier helping to limit transdermal water loss. In hair care products dimethicone is used to coat the hair's surface of the hair providing lubrication and helping to improve combing providing detangling, and thus, hair loss and breakage.. Studies have shown that due to their large molecular size that the silicones are not absorbed into the body and that they are safe when used at the levels currently found in cosmetic preparations.

There's always another side... and critics of the silicones maintain that they accumulate in humans and wildlife according to the [Link Removed] While not known as carcinogens, other critics suggest that silicones should be avoided since they 'trick' our bodies into thinking that skin or hair is healthy, when it may not be.

I have discussed much more harmful skin care ingredients and given the research available, the silicones seem to sit on the safer vs the more dangerous side. Still, the choice is yours. And if you wish to avoid silicones then read labels carefully. Even some natural and organic skin care companies include them in their formulations.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at [Link Removed]
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