Silicones are available in numerous formats providing the formulator with a multitude of benefits and endless possibilities to provide a shiny appearance and smooth texture with excellent spreadability to different cosmetic and personal care products.
Recently, Silicone has gotten a bad rep inside the beauty community. Apart from household and cosmetic products, you will find silicones in a variety of hair care products, from shampoos and conditioners to heat protectors.It is fairly easy to see why silicones are a hair care staple: It coats the hair shaft, which locks in moisture, reduces frizz, and gives hair that coveted soft and silky feel. This can be especially useful for people whose hair doesn’t tolerate humidity well.
What’s so bad about Silicone?
Not all silicones are harmful. Water-based silicones are preferable since they do not cause buildup.
There are some types of silicones that do build up on your hair, resulting in a dry feel and dull appearance. You may even notice that your hair becomes weaker and more prone to breakage. The silicone that is not water soluble will repel water, forming a seal around the cuticle, quickly building up on the hair. Apart from being difficult to rinse out, this means that water can no longer penetrate the cuticle, ultimately leaving the hair brittle, damaged, and dry. (For the record, Mayumi Organics’ Hair Products are always free of silicones. Shop our hair collection HERE.)
Is Silicone dangerous?
Silicone is non-toxic and will not harm your hair in any way.
How to get rid of the buildup on hair:
If you are sure that you use silicones often, use a clarifying shampoo that works for you, in order to strip the hair of the buildup. Be careful though, as using a clarifying shampoo too often will dry out your hair. Make sure to follow-up with hair conditioning.
