Dimethicone

1-2 year old toddlersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this toddler-safe to use Dimethicone?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Dimethicone is generally considered safe for 1-2 year old toddlers when used in topical products. Watch for toddler-specific sensitivities.

ℹ️General Overview

For toddlers (1-2 years), dimethicone is usually safe on the skin. It helps protect and lock in moisture and is commonly used in baby creams and diaper creams. Serious health risks are considered low, but there are some concerns about impurities and environmental persistence raised by government and safety reviewers.

What to Do

Use products made for babies or labeled for toddlers. Apply a thin layer only where needed (diaper area, dry patches). Avoid frequent heavy application over large areas. If you want to be extra cautious, choose baby products that list few ingredients and do not list cyclic siloxanes (names like cyclopentasiloxane or cyclotetrasiloxane). Always wash hands after applying and avoid getting the product in the child’s mouth or eyes.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, rash, or eye irritation and stop use if these happen. Be cautious about products that list cyclopentasiloxane or cyclotetrasiloxane — these are the impurity names cited by regulatory reviews (Environment Canada and a REACH evaluation). Also note that industry reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) have recommended limits or restrictions for some uses or concentrations, and there are data gaps about impurities — so prefer formulations made for infants/toddlers and avoid unnecessary long-term heavy use.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Builds Up: Regulators have said some forms are persistent and can bioaccumulate in people and wildlife. A REACH substance evaluation and Environment Canada findings name persistence and bioaccumulation as a concern, so this ingredient (or its related siloxanes) can build up over time.
Environmental: Environment Canada flagged this chemistry as suspected to harm the environment. The same evaluations note persistence in wildlife, meaning it can stay in nature and affect animals and ecosystems.
Organ Risk: An assessment by Environment Canada classified non-reproductive organ system toxicity as a concern, meaning repeated exposure may harm organs (for example, liver or kidneys) according to that regulator.
Banned: Some related siloxanes listed as contaminants (for example, cyclopentasiloxane / cyclotetrasiloxane and similar substances) have been heavily restricted by regulators under REACH and by other national reviews. Industry safety reviews also recommend limits or product-type restrictions.
Long-Term Risk: Because parts of this class are persistent and regulators and industry panels recommend use limits, there is a potential for long-term harms from repeated use or environmental build-up, as noted in REACH and Cosmetic Ingredient Review summaries.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Dimethicone

This ingredient may also be listed as:

dimethicone1 dimethiconeDIMETHICONEANW-15818CO9816MFCD00132673INTERMEDIATE VISCOSITY POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE ANTIFOAM EMULSION, 10% ACTIVE, VISCOSITY 1000-2000CSTINTERMEDIATE VISCOSITY POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE ANTIFOAM EMULSION, 30% ACTIVE, VISCOSITY 1500CSTPOLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE, TRIMETHYLSILOXY TERMINATED, REDUCED VOLATILITY, VISCOSITY 20 CST.INTERMEDIATE VISCOSITY POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE ANTIFOAM EMULSION, 30% ACTIVE, VISCOSITY 1000-2000CSTINTERMEDIATE VISCOSITY POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE ANTIFOAM EMULSION, 10% ACTIVE, VISCOSITY 800-2000CSTPOLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE, TRIMETHYLSILOXY TERMINATED, EXTREME LOW VOLATILITY, VISCOSITY 12.500 CST.INTERMEDIATE VISCOSITY POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE ANTIFOAM EMULSION, 20% ACTIVE, VISCOSITY 1000-2000CST

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Dimethicone

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Dimethicone or its alternative names.

Research Articles on Dimethicone

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Dimethicone safety and effects.

Common Questions About Dimethicone

Is this toddler-safe to use Dimethicone?

Yes, Dimethicone is generally considered safe for 1-2 year old toddlers based on current research.

What are the builds up risks of Dimethicone for toddlers?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the environmental risks of Dimethicone for toddlers?

Possible negative effects on the environment Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the organ risk risks of Dimethicone for toddlers?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the banned risks of Dimethicone for toddlers?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the long-term risk risks of Dimethicone for toddlers?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain Dimethicone?

Dimethicone is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can toddlers using products with Dimethicone?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 1-2 year old toddlers. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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