There are numerous forms of silicones used in cosmetic products, particularly leave-on skin care products as well as shampoos and conditioners.

You can easily identify silicones on the list of ingredients where they end on “-xane” or “-cone”; such as Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone or Phenyl trimethicone.

Particularly in moisturizers, Dimethicone is often used as an ingredient.

Silicones remain on the surface of the skin, they don’t get absorbed and therefore are not labeled as “active” ingredients. The unique molecular structure of silicones allows them to form a permeable barrier and also explains why silicones rarely feel heavy or occlusive, although they offer protection against moisture loss.

Dimethicone free Facial Moisturizers for Women

Especially women with acne-prone skin are looking for silicon free facial moisturizers as the silicone oil tends to clog the pores.

We have put together a list of mainly all-natural and organic facial moisturizers that do not only avoid silicones, such as dimethicone, but also are free from other chemicals such as parabens or mineral oil based ingredients.

Instead, these brands use for instance Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera or Peptides, which help revitalize the skin’s building blocks so it becomes more resilient.

Christina Moss Naturals – Organic Facial Moisturizer

Christina Moss Facial moisturizer is clinically tested, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing. It is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, oily skin, and dry skin. The moisturizer is made with just 8 handpicked, certified organic ingredients and plant extracts that absorb easily into the skin and hydrate from the bottom up.

It also contains vitamin A (aka retinol) and E, which help to soften the skin, fight free radicals, and tone the skin. The moisturizer is lightweight and easily absorbed, making it a perfect night cream for anyone. It is also formulated for both men and women, and it is free of fillers, binders, and harmful chemicals.

Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream with Hyaluronic Acid

This gel-cream moisturizer is perfect for those with oily or combination skin. It’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, and it contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and doesn’t contain any silicones.

Luxe Beauty Non-Greasy Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer

LuxeLotion is a non-greasy, dimethicone-free moisturizer that is dermatologist tested and formulated with organic ingredients. It is suitable for all skin types, including dry, oily, and combination skin.

The moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, raspberry seed oil, sea buckthorn, and vitamin B3, which help to hydrate the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity. LuxeLotion is also free of harmful chemicals and is vegan and cruelty-free: Non-greasy and dimethicone-free,
Dermatologist tested, vegan and cruelty-free.

…for Girls

Good For You Girls All Natural Light Weight Facial Moisturizer

The Good For You Girls Facial Moisturizer is a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that is specifically formulated for the special needs of young skin. It is free of harsh or irritating ingredients, making it gentle and safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

The moisturizer is formulated with a blend of botanical ingredients, including aloe vera, vitamin E, arnica, rose hip, borage, green tea, white tea, chamomile, and calendula. These ingredients help to hydrate the skin, reduce redness and irritation, and protect the skin from free radical damage.

The fac moisturizer is also free of dimethicone, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, and dyes. It is made in the USA and is vegan and cruelty-free.

… for Men

WildPrime Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer

WildPrime is a facial moisturizer for men that is free of silicones. It is a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that is designed to hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

This moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid and vitamins A and E, which are both beneficial for the skin. I doesn’t contain any silicones and is also fragrance-free and dye-free, making it a good choice for men with sensitive skin.

RUGGED & DAPPER Unscented Men’s Face Moisturizer

This is a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that is designed to hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

It is free of silicones. Instead, it is made with natural and organic ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and shea butter. The moisturizer is also fragrance-free and dye-free, making it a good choice for men with sensitive skin.

Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20

The Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 is also a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that is designed to hydrate the skin and protect it from the sun without the use of silicones.

It contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to draw moisture into the skin, and shea butter, which helps to lock in moisture. The moisturizer also contains green tea extract, which has antioxidant properties, and vitamin E, which helps to protect the skin from damage.

The moisturizer is also SPF 20, which means it provides broad-spectrum protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. This is important because sun exposure can cause premature aging, skin cancer, and other skin problems.

Conclusion

Silicones, especially dimethicone, in Facial Moisturizers can be easily avoided by choosing the right product. There are plenty of choices for Women, men and even teens.

Using silicon free moisturizers is not only more natural for your skin it also saves the environment because silicones are difficult to clean from the waste water.

If you like to avoid silicone alltogether you should check out these articles as well: Silcone free Leave in conditioners, Silicone free hair spray, silicone free makeup; and silicone free shampoos.

If you suffer from sensitive skin, this article might be of interest to you: Alcohol-Free Moisturizer for sensitive Skin

They are also used in hair spray leave-in conditioners, make up, or even facial moisturizers. In hair care they form a layer around each single hair.

Using hair care products without silicone is not only better for your hair, it is also better for the environment.

In this article we provide you a list of silicone-free shampoos brands.

What is silicone free Shampoo?

Silicone-free shampoo is a type of shampoo that does not contain silicones. Silicones are synthetic ingredients made from silica, an element found in sand. They are often added to hair products because they are inexpensive and provide shine and smoothness. However, some people arre concerned to use this ingredient in their hair care.

Is Silicone really bad for your hair?

Silicones are available in different quality levels. The cheaper the shampoo, the cheaper the silicones. And the cheaper the silicones are, the heavier they are.

Especially with fine hair, silicones are problematic because they weigh down the hair and leave it seem powerless. That’s why they are more suitable for dull, curly or damaged hair.

Furthermore, the application of a permanent wave or dyeing of the hair is difficult when there is a layer of silicone around each hair..

How to tell that your shampoo contains silicones?

In the list of ingredients on the packaging you can detect them by names ending with “cone” or “con“, such as dimethicone or Trimethicone. The term “Cyclo-” can also refer to silicones.

People who want to use silicones should use light water-soluble silicones that do not weigh down the hair. These include the lightweight silicone “Cyclomethicone” or “Cyclopentasiloxane”.

They can be washed out again. “Dimethicone”, however, is the heaviest silicone. It is mainly used in conditioners or cures. It is deposited on the hair.

Ecologically silicones are questionable as well. They are not biodegradable, their water-soluble residues pollute the lakes, rivers and groundwater. Even water treatment facilities have a hard time dealing with the silicones in the sewage.

List of silicones commonly used in hair products:

• 

  Amodimethicone
• Behenoxy Dimethicone
• Cetearyl methicone
• Cetyl Dimethicone
• Cyclomethicone
• Cyclopentasiloxane
• Dimethicone
• Dimethiconol
• Phenyl Trimethicone
• Phenyl Methicone
• Stearoxy Dimethicone
• Stearyl Dimethicone
• Stearyl Methicone
• Silicone Quaternium-22
• Trimethylsilylamodimethicone

Should I use silicone free shampoo?

Absolutely. It’s better for your hair, it’s natural and it is better for the environment.

People who have used silicone hair care products for a longer period of time must remain patient when switching to silicone-free products. It may take several weeks until the substance is completely removed from the hair.

For this situation, cosmetic manufacturers offer special Repair or Detox Shampoos. In the first weeks after the switch, however, the hair can still look fragile and brittle. Only when all the silicone is reduced and the new hair care substances can penetrate the hair it can regain its natural beauty.

Is silicone free the same as sulphate free?

No. Sulphates are the cleaning agents, silicone makes the hair smooth and shiny.

Sulphate compounds are surfactants, which mix well with both water and oil. They make sure that our scalp and hair is cleaned thorougly. The problme with sulfates is that are so strong, that it canmake the hair and scalp dry.

These substances are usually called SLES (sodium lauryl ether sulfate), SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), and ALS (ammonium lauryl sulfate). You can find sulfate free shampoos >>>here.

If you have curly hair, check out silicone and sulfate free shampoos for curly hair here.

If you have sensitive skin, check out our selection of fragrance free shampoos without silicones.

What hair products are silicone free?

List of silicone-free shampoo brands

All-natural shampoos: silicone and usually sulfate free

• Apereiron Keshawa
• Aubrey Organics
• Burt’s Bees*
• Desert Essence
• Free & Clear
• Fundamental Shampoo
• Green People
• Herbal Choice
• JASON All Natural*>>>
• Khadi Herbal Shampoos
• Kiss My Face All Natural Organic
• Lavera
• L’Occitane Aromachologie
• Logona Shampoos
• Lush Solid Shampoos
• Maple Holistics
• Nature’s Gate
• Nubian Heritage
• Pura d’Or
• Pureology
• Sante
• Shea Moisture Raw Shea Retention Shampoo
• Tom’s of Maine
• Tree To Tub
• Tru Moroccan Best Natural Shampoo
• Weleda
• Yves Rocher

Conventional silicone-free shampoos:

• Art Naturals
• Fekkai Shampoos
• Garnier Fructis – Pure Clean* >>>
• Herbal Essences
• Living Proof Shampoos
• Nexxus New York Salon Care Shampoos* >>>
• Pantene Pro-V Shampoos: Sheer Volume, Aqua Light Clean Rinse Shampoo, Sheer Volume with Collagen, Ice Shine
• TRESemme Expert Selection, Expert Collection, Expert Botanique, Perfectly Undone

Frequently asked questions

Does Pantene have silicone?

Meanwhile, some of the new Pantene Shampoos are also silicone free. However, some still use sulphates.

• Pro-V Sheer Volume (siliconefree but not sulfate free)
• Pro-V Blends Shampoo and Conditioner (silicone and sulfate free)
• Golden Series for Curly Hair (silicone and sulfate free)

Does Dove Shampoo contain silicone?

Dove has a vast range of shampoo and conditioner products we checked the ingredients of popular products and couldn’t find any without silicones. These are the Dove shampoos we checked:

• Dove Nutritive Solutions Color Care Shampoo (Dimethiconol)
• Dove Advanced Care Color Repair Therapy Shampoo (Dimethiconol)
• Dove Nourishing Secrets Cool Moisture Shampoo (Polyquaternium-10)
• Dove Nutritive Solutions Daily Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner (Dimethiconol)
• Dove Dermacare Scalp Dryness & Itch Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Dimethiconol)
• Dove Nutritive Solutions Moisturizing Shampoo for Dry Hair (Amodimethicone)
• Dove Nutritive Solutions Intensive Repair Shampoo (Dimethiconol)
• Dove Shampoo Fortifying (Dimethiconol)
• Dove Nourishing Secrets Thickening Shampoo (Dimethiconol)
• Dove Damage Therapy Daily Moisture Shampoo (Dimethiconol)

Is L’Oreal conditioner silicone-free?

Only some of L’Oreal Conditioners are silicone free, such as: L’Oreal Paris EverCurl Sulfate Free Conditioner for Curly Hair, Paris Extraordinary Clay Purifying & Hydrating Conditioner, L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Conditioner, Elvive Dream Lengths Restoring Conditioner*

Does EverPure shampoo have silicone?

Yes, the products contain amodimethicone, a modified dimethicone-type silicone molecule

Is Moroccan oil shampoo silicone free?

No, Moroccan Oil Shampoo does contain some silicones in its ingredient list. The shampoo contains Dimethicone, which is a silicone-based ingredient that can help to smooth and protect the hair.

Does hask shampoo have silicone?

Some Hask shampoos that do not contain silicone include: Hask Tea Tree Oil & Rosemary Invigorating Shampoo, Hask Biotin Boost Thickening Shampoo, Hask Charcoal Purifying Shampoo*

Does Shea Moisture have silicone?

Some Shea Moisture hair care products contain silicone, while others do not. If you are looking for a silicone-free option, here are a few Shea Moisture products that are silicone-free:
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo, Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo, Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo*

Is Pureology shampoo silicone free?

Pureology shampoos are generally silicone-free. Instead, they use a blend of plant-based ingredients and essential oils to help nourish and protect the hair. Pureology’s formulas are also sulfate-free, which can be beneficial for those with color-treated hair or sensitive scalps. However, it’s always a good idea to check the ingredient list on the product packaging to make sure it doesn’t contain any ingredients that you may be allergic or sensitive to.

We hope you find this list of silicone free shampoo brands helpful and you find a product that is less harmful for your hair and the environment. However, this list can never be comprehensive.

Find out more about other silicone free hair products:

• Sulfate and Paraben free Shampoo Brands
• Chemical free Shampoo for Kids and Babies
• Fragrance Free Shampoos
• Silicone free Leave-in Conditioner 
• Silicone Free Hair Oils
• Biodegradable Shampoo Brands
• Chemical free hair dye for grey hair

‘*Partnerlink
Foto Source: Fotolia

Leave-in conditioners are applied to hair to help seal in moisture and shine and increase manageability. Unfortunately, many of these commercial leave-in products may be doing more harm than good due to their high silicone content.

The Drawbacks of Silicones in hair care products

Silicones are synthetic chemicals, derived from silica and oxygen, that temporarily smooth strands to create the illusion of luscious locks. They are often used in Shampoos, Conditioners, hair spray but also in lipsticks and facial cosmetics. The issue is that a large majority of silicones are not water soluble. This means they can build up on hair over time and prevent strands from absorbing moisture.

When covered in silicones, beneficial conditioning agents are no long able to penetrate strands. The result is brittle, parched hair. Basically, silicones dry out strands from the inside out and can result in a waxy, stubborn build up.

In addition to being harsh to your strands, silicones can have a negative impact on the environment. Silicones end up as part of municipal wastewater and must be handled by water treatment facilities.

To avoid silicones in your hair products, it is crucial to read labels carefully. When reading ingredient lists, watch for anything with “cone” or “xane” anywhere in the name (i.e. Dimethicone, Amodimethicon, Dimethiconol, Cyclopentasiloxane, etc).

Leave-in Conditioner Brands That Do Not Use Silicones

Finding a silicone free leave-in conditioner can take some searching but there are a variety of brands that produce options that are healthier for your hair and the planet.

As opposed to commercial leave-ins, a silicone free leave-in conditioner will add moisture, nourishment, and vitamins to hair without leading to a waxy build up that suffocates your hair over time.

Alba Botanica Drink It Up Coconut Milk Leave-In Conditionier

Rather than silicones, this plant-powered brand focuses on botanical extracts, plant-sourced keratin, and protein-rich coconut milk to nourish hair and promote shine.

Alikay Naturals – Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner

This brand utilizes a host of powerful ingredients such as silk amino acids, aloe, natural vegetable glycerin, and lemongrass oil to provide hair with moisture and boost resiliency.

Andalou Naturals Argan Oil Plus Leave-In Conditioner

Formulated with argan oil, fruit stem cells, aloe, cocoa butter, and a special amino acid complex, this leave-in helps strengthen hair, reduce static, prevent breakage, and minimize frizz.

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen/Grow and Restore Leave-in Conditioner

Shea Moisture’s leave-in helps repair over-processed hair with shea butter, keratin, peppermint, and Jamaican Black Castor Oil.

TreeActiv Hair Growth Natural Leave in Conditioner

With a variety of beneficial, natural ingredients such as biotin, argan oil, keratin, Vitamin B5 and coconut water, TreeActiv’s formula promotes healthier, shinier hair.

Final Thoughts

Although typical leave-in conditioners may offer instant gratification, they may actually deteriorate the health of your hair in the long run. Consider testing out one of the brands of silicone free leave-in conditioner mentioned above to see if it has a positive impact on your hair.

Picture Credits: JörgBrinckheger/pixelio.de

Also interesting:

• Sulfate and Paraben free Shampoo Brands
• Chemical free Shampoo for Kids and Babies
• Chemical free hair dye for grey hair
• Silicone Free Shampoo
• Silicone Free Hair Oils
• Biodegradable Shampoo Brands

But in order to avoid skin problems caused by caosmetic products we schould start considering what products we are using and listen less to the Marketing messages on the TV. Although think about what chemicals you might flush in to the environment and consider buying products with biodegradable ingredients.

At the end of this article you find a list of brands that do not use the chemicals mentioned below.

When you buy a shampoo or conditioner you should pay attention to these chemicals.

Sulfates

Sulfates are a common ingredient in lots of shampoos and conditioners. Sulfates are an additive to shampoos and conditioners that causes the foaming; with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) being the most common. It combines with water to emulsify the grease in the hair, dispersing it into the water so that it can be washed away. The concentration in shampoos is typically around 15%. However, The International Journal of Toxicology also provides a safety assessment of SLS and recommends concentration levels of no more than 1% in products with prolonged use.

SLS is also considered to be allergenic and irritating to the skin. There is a debate surrounding the topic of SLS and Cancer. But up to now, there is no scientific evidence that links the two. Furthermore there are some findings that link the ingredient to a hormone imbalance which can cause serious health inssues.

Silicones

Silicone is used as a film former and surround each hair, so the hair can be meshed better and shine without appearing greasy. They are also used in hair spray and foam, where they form a layer around each single hair.

Silicones weigh down the hair and leave it seem powerless, especially thin hair. Lightweight silicones such as “Cyclomethicone” or “Cyclopentasiloxane”can be washed out again. “Dimethicone”, however, is the heaviest silicone. It is mainly used in conditioners or cures. It is deposited on the hair.

Ecologically silicones are questionable. They are not biodegradable, their water-soluble residues pollute the lakes, rivers and groundwater. Even water treatment facilities have a hard time dealing with the silicones in the sewage. Find out more about silicones and a list of silicone free shampoo brands.

Parabens

There has been much talk in recent years of the dangers of parabens in cosmetics and toiletries. But why are they included in cosmetics, and what is the problem with them?

Parabens are preservatives and are used to extend the shelf life of a product. However, there are suggestions that parabens may be linked with serious health problems, and they are known to cause sensitivity and dermatitis in some people. Evidence of estrogenic activity- where the parabens mimic natural female hormones, has caused some concern, as has evidence that parabens cause DNA damage in skin.

Consequently, some consumers prefer to avoid products containing parabens, especially shampoos and conditioners. Fortunately, there are a number of brands producing paraben-free, see below.

PEGs

Polyethylene Glycol compounds(PEGs) are used in shampoos to dissolve oil and grease which is why they are also commonly found in spray on oven cleaners. There are concerns about PEGs increasing the absorption of other chemicals, due to their action of opening the pores.

So, with a clearer view of exactly what we are washing our hair with and what the effects could be, it may be worth taking a little more time and care over what we choose to use.

In order to find chemical free shampoos you need to study the INCI list on the packaging. A safe bet is to use all-natural or organic shampoos that are ideally certified. These products use official seals like USDA Organic from the National Organic Program in the US or NATRUE, BDIH or ecocert in Europe.

Here is a list of popular all natural shampoo brands that are pretty safe and usually replace chemicals by all natural ingrediences. But keep on checking the INSI list anyway:

• Alverde
• Apereiron Keshawa
• Aubrey Organics
• Burt’s Bees
• Fundamental Shampoo
• Green People
• JASON All Natural
• Khadi Herbal Shampoos
• Kiss My Face
• Lavera
• L’Occitane Aromachologie
• Logona Shampoos
• Lush Solid Shampoos
• Maple Holistics
• Nature’s Gate
• Nubian Heritage
• Pura d’Or
• Sante
• Tom’s of Maine
• Tru Moroccan
• Weleda
• Yves Rocher

This listof chemical free shampoo brands is by far not complete. If you know more brands that avoid the chemicals mentioned above, please leave a comment.