Is Silicone Safe for the Skin? | Biodermis.com

There are a lot of myths circulating on the internet regarding the safety of silicone as an ingredient used in many hair and skincare products on the market today. Understandably, you want to know what you’re putting on your body, so this article will be a guide to help you come to your own conclusions about silicone. It’s important to note that not all silicone is created equal. Medical-grade silicone is cleared by the FDA for use in medical products, whereas silicone found in common cosmetic and hair products may not pass the same standards.

Silicone is hypoallergenic

One of the primary reasons why silicone is found in so many skincare products is because it is hypoallergenic. This means that silicone is not likely to cause allergic reactions on the skin. This is especially important for people with highly sensitive skin or preexisting skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. In the rare case that silicone does cause a reaction, it is likely that the skin wasn’t thoroughly cleaned prior to application.  

Silicone is non-reactive and biocompatible

Silicone is one of the most non-reactive synthetic materials that can be used in many different products. Non-reactive simply means that it does not cause a reaction when it comes in contact with other materials. Biocompatible, on the other hand, means that it is safe for use with the human body. These two components make it a desirable ingredient in medical-grade products and equipment. Furthermore, you can be confident that silicone can be added to your daily skincare regimen without interfering with other ingredients.   

Silicone is oil-free

Most silicone products, such as silicone gel sheeting for scars, are oil-free. This is a good thing because oil clogs the skin, leading to acne breakouts and other unwanted skin conditions. Silicone has occlusive properties, meaning it helps the skin retain water while inducing hydration, all without oils and other agents.  

Silicone is non-comedogenic

Silicone does not suffocate the skin and clog pores, which makes it a safe product to use on the face and body. Silicone gel for scars can be thick, so it’s important to wash the skin prior to applying it to your skin. Furthermore, silicone is semi-permeable, so it lets the skin breathe by allowing oxygen to pass through.  

Silicone is recommended for scar treatment

Medical-grade silicone gel is the gold standard for topical scar therapy, recommended by surgeons and dermatologists around the world. Silicone is backed by more than 30 years of clinical evidence that supports its safety and efficacy in treating keloids and hypertrophic scars. There’s good reason to believe that silicone is safe for the skin when physicians recommend their patients to use the product on sensitive scar tissue.