Ingredient glossary
Amodimethicone
On your shelf ✓What Amodimethicone does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Amodimethicone
In short: Amodimethicone delivers softening and conditioning, suits dry skin best, and the evidence behind it is moderate.
- What it does
- Softening, conditioning
- Best for
- Dry skin
- Evidence
- Moderate
- How long
- Straight away
What it actually is
The Glow take
A comfort ingredient, and none the worse for it.
Amodimethicone is here for feel and moisture, softening the skin and slowing water loss. More comfort than correction.
— Maya
What it does
- softening
- conditioning
- film forming
moderate evidenceCosmetic safety data consider amodimethicone non-irritating, though heavy, repeated use may lead to build-up without clear comedogenicity evidence.
On a label: usually effective at 0.5-5%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- hair
- very dry skin spots
Approach with care
- acne prone if heavy
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationNeutral
- OilyNeutral
- SensitiveNeutral
Often chosen for hair. Take extra care if any of these apply to you: acne prone (in heavy layers).
Where it fits in your routine
This one works on contact — there is nothing to wait for.
What that covers, and what it does not
Measured on: reduced wet and dry combing force on damaged hair after a single application, measured instrumentally.
Primarily a hair conditioning polymer: pendant amine groups make it deposit preferentially on damaged, negatively charged sites during one wash, and combing-force and friction reductions are measured after that single application. Nothing requires cumulative use; the cumulative effect that is documented is build-up, a downside rather than a delayed benefit. Its minor skin emollient role at 0.5-5% has no timed data at all.
Mechanism plus standard instrumental combing-force methodology for cationic silicone conditioners; no clinical time course.
Plays well with
- humectants
- other silicones
Amodimethicone, answered
Is Amodimethicone safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Amodimethicone is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Amodimethicone?
Approach Amodimethicone with care if any of these apply to you: acne prone (in heavy layers).
What concentration of Amodimethicone actually works?
Amodimethicone tends to do its job in the 0.5 to 5% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
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