Dimethicone

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Dimethicone is a silicone oil commonly used in OTC products as a surfactant or anti-foaming agent. This compound is considered safe for use in OTC products if concentrations used are between 1-30%. Dimethicone is a large molecule, so it sits on the surface of the skin without being absorbed into the body. It has also been found that a dimethicone can be used to treat head lice and is safe for use on children. The compound works by physically harming lice and thus does not have any dangerous implications for use on humans. Dimethicone is also used in dietary supplements for treatment of indigestion symptoms. FTIR can be used to determine how much dimethicone is present in a product.

Consumer products that commonly contain dimethicone

  • Moisturizers
  • Hair conditioners
  • Foundations
  • Lipsticks
  • Serums

Instruments used to detect, measure, and analyze dimethicone in consumer products

  • Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) or Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC)
  • FTIR for polymer identification
  • GC-MS after depolymerization

Testing dimethicone with Microchem

Microchem tests personal care products, OTC drugs, and dietary supplements for the strength and purity of dimethicone. Contact the lab today for a free consultation or quote.

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Dimethicone

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