Are silicones bad for your hair?

The risks of using silicones in hair care

Silicones: what are they?

Silicones are silica derivatives, mainly used for their smoothing properties and their ability to create a protective barrier around the hair.

The most commonly used types of silicones in hair products: dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, amodimethicone, etc.

Their role in hair products: to make hair smooth, shiny, and easier to style.

Why are silicones bad for hair?

Here is a list summarizing why silicones are bad for hair.

1. Build-up on the scalp: Silicones tend to accumulate on the hair with each use, creating a film that prevents hair nutrition and the penetration of restorative treatments.
2. Heavy and voluminous hair: This film can make hair heavy, flat, and harder to style in the long term.
3. Dry and brittle hair: Silicones prevent natural hair hydration, which can lead to dry, fragile, and brittle hair.
4. Difficulty getting rid of silicones: Silicone build-up requires deeper cleansing with more aggressive shampoos, which can worsen the problem.

Why are silicones bad for the environment?

Here is a list summarizing why silicones are bad for the planet.

1. Insoluble in water: Silicones do not degrade easily in water, making them harmful to the environment, especially marine ecosystems.
2. Water pollution: When rinsed, silicones end up in wastewater and, consequently, in rivers and oceans, where they can disrupt aquatic wildlife.
3. Non-biodegradability: The impact on nature and marine wildlife, as these substances are not biodegradable and can enter food chains.

How to identify silicones in hair products?

How to read labels and know suffixes

You need to learn to read labels: silicones are often indicated by names ending in "-cone", "-xane", "-siloxane", such as dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, etc.

Here are some common examples:

• Dimethicone
• Cyclopentasiloxane
• Amodimethicone
• Phenyl Trimethicone
• Silicone Quaterniums
• Cyclohexasiloxane
• Trimethylsiloxysilicate
• Polysilicone-15

Look at the first lines of the ingredient list:

Ingredients are listed in descending order of concentration. If a silicone is among the first ingredients, it means it is present in large quantities. If you want to avoid silicones, it is therefore preferable to choose products where they appear further down the list.

Be attentive to product names

Hair products that boast of making hair "smooth", "shiny" or "frizz-free" often use silicones to achieve these effects. With this kind of promise on the packaging, it is necessary to check because many products in this category contain silicones.

There is another category of hair products for which a particular silicone is found: dimethicone. These are anti-lice products. Dimethicone will have the effect of suffocating the lice thanks to the occlusive film and killing them. This example clearly shows the harmful mode of action of silicones.

Alternatives to silicones for healthier hair

There are currently alternatives to silicones, which provide the same promises. These alternatives are not necessarily organic; they simply use other chemical agents or active ingredients such as vegetable oils: jojoba, argan, or coconut oil to deeply nourish and moisturize without weighing down, natural waxes to provide shine and softness without an occlusive film, and many others.

Here is an example of a hair serum that provides shine, anti-frizz, and styling aid, without silicones and composed of 99% ingredients of natural origin: HAIR GLOW.

Should silicones be banned from hair products?

It is indeed preferable to completely avoid silicone-based products. Prioritize natural products for healthier hair and reduced environmental impact.