Silicone in Hair Products: Benefits, Drawbacks, and What You Need to Know

You may associate silicone with something found in implants and rubbery cooking utensils, but this versatile substance is actually found in many beauty, skincare, and haircare products. It has a softening effect on the skin and hair strands. But is silicone bad for hair? Turns out the answer isn’t black and white: there are both pros and cons of using silicones for hair health.

Here, we’ll cover what exactly silicone is, what's in haircare products, and whether silicone is good or bad for your hair.

Silicone is a polymer (a type of natural or synthetic substance) derived from silica, a mineral found in the earth, certain plants, and even the human body. Silica makes up the soft, white sand you see at the beach. So what’s it doing in hair products? We’ll get there soon.

There are three common types of silicones.

1. Water-Soluble Silicones: These dissolve in water and are easier to wash out of hair, making them a good choice for those who want the benefits without product buildup. Common water-soluble silicones include amodimethicone, stearoxy dimethicone, dimethicone copolyol, and dimethicone PEG-8 phosphate.

2. Non-Water-Soluble Silicones: These provide long-lasting effects but can build up on the hair over time, requiring clarifying shampoos to remove. Common non-water-soluble silicones include dimethicone, dimethiconol, stearyl dimethicone, cetyl dimethicone, cetearyl dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, and behenoxy dimethicone.

3. Evaporating Silicones: These evaporate from hair as it dries. Common types include cyclomethicone and cyclopentasiloxane.

There’s got to be a reason silicone is in so many haircare products, right? Silicone is found in many types of hair products, including frizz serums, shine sprays, leave-in conditioners, heat protectants, and many products designed to smooth hair, fight frizz, or add shine.

Below, you’ll find a list of silicone’s benefits for hair.

Silicone smooths frizz

Silicone can repel moisture. It acts as a barrier against humidity, helping to prevent frizz and flyaways by sealing moisture inside the hair.

Silicone smooths hair and adds shine

Silicone coats the hair shaft and seals the hair’s cuticle. This creates a smooth surface that reflects light, giving hair a glossy, frizz-free finish.

Silicone offers heat protection

Silicone forms a protective layer around the hair. This can shield the hair shaft from heat damage caused by styling tools like flat irons and blow dryers. Some research shows that polymers like silicone help prevent breakage.

Silicone is detangling

Silicone gives hair some “slip” because it reduces friction between hair. This can help detangle hair and keep it smooth and knot-free.

Silicone sounds like a miracle worker, especially for dry or frizzy hair. But, it’s not all rosy when it comes to silicone. Dr. Knox Beasley, board-certified dermatologist, says that silicone tends to work well on frizzy hair, but can create build-up, especially in people with thinner hair.

Below, we’ll cover some of the downsides of silicone for hair.

Silicone can buildup in the hair

Silicone, especially types that are not water-soluble, can create a buildup in the hair that’s difficult to remove. The problem with buildup is that it can cause hair to look greasy or cause scalp itchiness or dryness. It can also lead to certain scalp conditions, like dandruff.

Silicone may dry out hair

Initially, silicone makes hair feel soft and smooth, but over time, it can dry out hair (especially when using non-water-soluble silicones). This is because the build-up we mentioned can prevent moisture from getting into the strands.

Silicone can disrupt the curl pattern

As silicone builds up in the hair, it can weigh it down, potentially making it look limp. Folks with curly hair may find the extra weight stretching their curls out.

Silicone can mask damage

Things like split ends or hair breakage can alert you that it’s time for a haircut or to go easy on heat styling. Silicone styling products can make hair look smooth and shiny, but the ingredient doesn’t actually repair damage.

Silicone is not biodegradable

While not a drawback for hair specifically, silicone is not biodegradable, meaning it does not break down over time.

Should I Use Silicones In Hair Products?

As you now know, there are pros and cons to using silicone products. People with curly, thick, or dry hair may see the most benefit, whereas people with very straight, fine, or thin hair may find that silicone weighs their hair down or makes it look flat.

If you use silicone products, it’s a good idea to invest in a quality clarifying shampoo, especially if you’re using a type of silicone that is not water-soluble. According to some research, dimethicone is the most widely used silicone in the hair care industry. It is not water-soluble.

However, if you don’t want to use silicone products, that’s also a fine choice — many silicone-free products are available.

Hopefully, you now have answers to your most pressing questions: What does silicone do to hair? Does silicone damage hair? Silicone often gets a bad rap as part of a haircare routine, but it’s not all bad. Here’s the TL;DR if you need a quick recap.

• Silicone helps control frizz, adds shine, and offers heat protection, making it an excellent choice for those with dry, frizzy, or thick hair. However, silicone hair products can also create buildup, weigh hair down, and potentially block moisture.

• Water-soluble silicones are easier to wash out and are less likely to cause buildup, making them ideal for regular use. In contrast, non-water-soluble silicones provide longer-lasting effects but require clarifying shampoos to remove residue and prevent dullness.

• If you choose to use silicone-based products, incorporating a clarifying shampoo into your routine can prevent buildup. Alternatively, silicone-free options are widely available for those looking to avoid potential drawbacks while still achieving smooth, manageable hair.

To learn more about certain haircare ingredients and how they affect hair health, check out our guides to glycerin for hair and ashwagandha and hair loss.