What's the deal with Silicone?

Why do silicones get such a bad rap? The truth behind them and why they are in your beauty products.

Shopping for cosmetics usually goes two ways: you want a product that has the most wear, or the most natural ingredient list. Both are valid! Many all-natural products could be great, but a product that was made in a lab could also produce incredible results. At the same time, how can you tell what has the most pros over cons with your health and beauty in mind? Media has a way of ingraining the weirdest fads when it comes to beauty. Remember when “oil-free” was all the rage. I’ve seen so many facewash commercials pushing that their formula was free of oils, and somehow that was better for our skin? It seems like a few years later the opposite is trendy, and now facial oils are all the rage. We went from strictly buying mattified face powders to a “dewy face or bust” mentality. Are these just trends, or is there really some truth behind these waves of alarmism when it comes to the products we buy? Recently, it seems like everyone is going the natural route. We want 5 ingredients or less and it needs to be as minimalist as humanly possible. There’s nothing wrong with simplicity when it comes to the ingredients lists in the makeup we use! However, does the claim to be natural necessarily mean that it is safer? A good example of this is the use of silicones. It seems to be trendy to market towards products that are free of all silicones. But do silicones get an unnecessarily bad rap? Some people say they avoid them because they just sit on your skin’s surface, or that they are bad because it isn’t natural. Let’s do a little digging into the truths of silicones to see what is science and what is just a trend.

What are silicones?

First of all, silicones refer to a chemical class and not a singular ingredient. They are polymers made up of silicon and oxygen. Silicones make products silkier and more blendable. Yes, we are talking about the same silicones used in the medical industry to create breast implants and other helpful technologies. They are even biodegradable, breaking down to silicic acid and carbon dioxide, and water.  Here are some common names for silicones when used in cosmetics:

• Dimethicone
• Cyclomethicone
• Cyclohexasiloxane
• Cetearyl methicone
• Cyclopentasiloxane

Don’t they just clog your pores?

Here’s the deal. There is such a huge misconception that silicones just sit on your skin clogging up the place. However, that is far from the truth! The molecules are actually too big to get inside any pores making the argument false. They are non-comedogenic, meaning they don’t clog pores or cause acne. Most of the time any breakouts and clogged pores are the results of other ingredients in the products you use, and silicones unfairly get the blame! Silicones are actually really helpful when it comes to its uses in cosmetics and skincare. For example, they aid in the healing process of skin when it comes to acne and also reduce scarring. They even help prevent water loss in your skin, keeping it hydrated and prevents the absorption of excess oil. Who would have thought, right?

Why do they have such a bad reputation?

The short answer is the spread of misinformation, making it hard to differentiate what you should and shouldn’t avoid in the cosmetics you buy. Silicones are hypoallergenic and really safe for irritated skin and can be used to treat eczema. They are non-irritating and non-sensitizing, making them virtually the farthest thing from bad for you when incorporated into cosmetics. The best part? Silicones are actually breathable and allow oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor to freely pass. Because they are non-allergenic, they actually don’t cause allergic reactions either. Most of the time, allergies arise from other ingredients in your makeup products!

Are there silicones in PHreckles?

Yes! Pseudo Labs PHreckles are derived from science, with the help of top chemists of course. Some of them include Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, and Methicone. Incorporating silicones help keep PHreckles a cosmetic that is naturally occurring in the face. As opposed to color cosmetics that transform, PHreckles replicate your natural beauty. That’s why it is so easy to blend these faux freckles into your natural ones already on that gorgeous face of yours. PHreckles are vegan, hypoallergenic, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and even water-resistant. These faux freckles breathe warmth into your skin, accentuating, and highlighting natural beauty. It’s all about enhancing what you’ve got and loving the skin your in. Silicones have such a bad reputation, but let’s not forget what benefits it has! Our range of shades is the next step to leveling up your beauty game. PHreckles melt into the skin and blend seamlessly with your natural complexion in the easiest way possible, while simply washing away with a daily cleanser. All with a little help from silicones and some pretty incredible chemists!

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We invited a few of our favorites to join us in the studio to attempt applying PHreckles for their first time. Here’s @tayhanson hitting a home run on the first try! PS: Pre-orders open 9am EST tomorrow! ✨

A post shared by Pseudo Labs (@pseudolabs) on Dec 4, 2019 at 9:07am PST

References:

“Everything about Silicones in Skincare: Paula's Choice.” Eu.com, www.paulaschoice-eu.com/silicone-in-skincare.

Gadberry, Rebecca. “12 Silicone Myths Exploded.” Skin Inc., 31 July 2014, www.skininc.com/skinscience/ingredients/12-Silicone-Myths-Exploded-269445911.html.

Greenwood, Jacine. “Dimethicone In Skin Care.....Separating Fact From Fiction.” Educated Therapists, 4 May 2020, www.educatedtherapists.com/dimethicone-in-skin-care-separating-fact-from-fiction/.

Maddison, Kelley. “Silicones: Do They Clog Your Pores?” PRIIA Beauty Buzz, 24 Apr. 2018, www.priia.com/beauty-buzz/silicones-clog-pores/.