Dimethicone

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Dimethicone?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Dimethicone is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

Dimethicone is commonly used on the skin and is usually safe for children ages 5 and up. Health reviews find low direct risk from dimethicone itself, but there are concerns about possible impurities and environmental persistence from regulatory reviews.

What to Do

Choose creams or lotions with dimethicone rather than sprays. Check the ingredient list and avoid products that also list cyclopentasiloxane or cyclotetrasiloxane. Use a small amount on normal or dry skin as needed. If your child has very sensitive skin, test a small area first.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin irritation or any new rash after use and stop if that happens. Avoid spray or aerosol products (risk of breathing it in). Be aware that regulatory reviews (Environment Canada, REACH) and an industry safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) note contamination and use-restriction concerns—these are about impurities and product types, not about dimethicone causing cancer or allergy in normal topical 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 kid-friendly to use Dimethicone?

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

What are the builds up risks of Dimethicone for children?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use.

What are the environmental risks of Dimethicone for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What are the organ risk risks of Dimethicone for children?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the banned risks of Dimethicone for children?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

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

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.

What products contain Dimethicone?

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

When can kids start using products with Dimethicone?

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

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