Silicones - good or bad?

Silicones in hair products have gathered a bit of a bad reputation over the years – but do they really deserve it?

We’re here to explain a bit more and – importantly – to bust a few of the old myths around silicones and hair products.

Silicones are synthetic ingredients which have been used in beauty products since the 1950s. They’re unreactive (meaning they don’t interfere with the way other ingredients work) and they add a thin waterproof layer around the hair cuticle.

There are lots of types of silicones, including ones that you’d definitely not want anywhere near your skin or hair, but the ones used in hair and beauty products have been thoroughly tested and good news, are considered very safe!

Silicones are usually included in hair products or treatments to create a smoother finish. The thin coating they add to the hair smooths down the cuticle, helping to detangle, add shine and prevent frizz. It also helps to retain moisture and to protect against heat damage caused by straightening irons or styling tools.

Good question, and the answer is yes and no. Helpful, we know.

Silicones have come a long way over the years, so the myths around build-up can pretty much trace their origins to older, much heavier products.

The ones you’ll find in today’s high-quality professional hair products are no longer the heavy types that weigh your hair down. Instead, they’ve been carefully crafted to make sure they work well for the hair.

Like many myths, though, there is a trace of truth in there. The potential for build-up does depend on your hair and on which products you choose. Fine or thin hair could be weighed down more easily than thicker hair. For example, supermarket shampoos are more likely to include the older, heavier silicones than professional products do.