Dimethicone

Today's Chemical:

Dimethicone

EWG Risk Score:

3

What is it:

Dimethicone is a silicone product that's used as a skin conditioning agent and emollient.  According to EWG, "Dimethicone is a mixture of fully methylated linear siloxane polymers end blocked with trimethylsiloxy units."  It's also known at "polydimethylsiloxane"

Why is it a risk:  

According to the Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List, dimethicone is bioaccumulative in humans and wildlife.  Basically it pollutes our bodies and environments and accumulates in our organs.  It's not a known carcinogen or anything like that, but why add to the toxic load of environmental toxins that we add to our bodies on a daily basis?  In addiction, poisonous hydrochloric gas is emitted during the chemical production of this ingredient. 

What type of Products it is in:

Sunscreen

Moisturizer

Shampoo

Conditioner

Makeup

Personal Lubricant

A few Companies that use this chemical:

Almay

Jason Naturals

KY

Shikai

Avalon Organics

EO

Revlon

Aveeno

Steph's Opinion:
There are definitely worse chemicals than dimethicone, but there are definitely healthier, more natural options.  Why use a silicon-based polymer when you can use a natural oil or butter as an emollient or skin conditioner?  This is an ingredient that I personally avoid. 

Sources:

http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=702011&refurl=/product.php?prod_id=49387&&nothanks=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydimethylsiloxane