Are Silicones Really Bad For Your Hair? Here’s What Stylists Have to Say

Spoiler alert: Its not really a clear-cut answer.

Theres perhaps no beauty ingredient that has more of a notorious reputation than silicone.

Theres also perhaps no ingredient thats surrounded by more controversy than silicone.

But why the bad rap?

What should you know about using products with silicones?

We asked top stylists to set the record straight.

Heres what they had to say.

What Are Silicones and What is Their Purpose?

First, lets understand what were even talking about.

Theyre used in many beauty products, most often in hair care as well as makeup, she says.

Spino adds that they also add slip to the hair, making it easier to detangle it.

So, why all the controversy surrounding this category of ingredients?

Both experts we spoke with attribute it to the fact that not all silicones are created equal.

If you guessed that these do not dissolve in water, youre correct.

Non-soluble silicones can only be removed from the hair with surfactants (the cleansing ingredients in shampoos).

This can end up blocking moisture from absorbing into the hair, ultimately leading to dryness and damage.

Water-soluble silicones are more than okay to use.

If you want the shine-boosting, frizz-controlling benefits without the buildup concerns, stick to water-soluble silicones.

Common ones: amodimethicone, stearoxy dimethicone, dimethicone copolyol, dimethicone PEG-8 phosphate.

This bang out evaporates from the hair as it dries.

Common ones: cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, and cyclomethicone.

Antioxidants work hard to fight off and neutralize free radicals to keep hair strong and healthy.

Additional bamboo benefits include soothing the scalp, increasing blood flow to the scalp, and reducing dandruff.

TL; DR:Silicones dont necessarily deserve the bad rap theyve gotten.

But water-soluble silicones are great for adding shine, smoothness, and leaving your hair feeling conditioned and soft.