Dimethicone

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Dimethicone?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Dimethicone is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

Dimethicone is commonly used in creams and lotions for children ages 2-5 (toddlers and preschoolers) and is usually gentle and safe on normal skin. It helps protect and lock in moisture and rarely causes reactions. There are, however, some concerns about small amounts of related chemicals or impurities that can come from manufacturing and about environmental persistence.

What to Do

Use products with dimethicone as directed for children and choose reputable brands or products labeled for children or as "pharmaceutical/purified" grade when possible. Do a small patch test on the child's inner forearm before using widely. Use a thin layer rather than heavy, daily whole-body coatings, and avoid putting it on broken or very irritated skin. If you want to reduce any theoretical impurity exposure, prefer products that do not list cyclopentasiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxane, D4 or D5 on the label.

⚠️Warnings

Stop use and see a doctor if your child develops redness, itching, swelling, or other signs of skin irritation after applying a product with dimethicone. Be aware that regulatory reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review), Environment Canada and European evaluations (REACH, ECHA) have flagged concerns about impurities and environmental persistence — this is why choosing tested, child-friendly products from trusted brands matters. Avoid products that list the cyclic siloxanes (cyclopentasiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxane, D4, D5) in the ingredients if you want to be extra cautious.

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

Safe for preschoolers to use Dimethicone?

Yes, Dimethicone is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children based on current research.

What are the builds up risks of Dimethicone for preschoolers?

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 preschoolers?

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

What are the organ risk risks of Dimethicone for preschoolers?

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 preschoolers?

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 preschoolers?

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.

Is this suitable for preschoolers to using products with Dimethicone?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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