Is dimethicone biodegradable? (5 reasons not to use dimethicone)

The article will discuss the biodegradability of dimethicone while also covering topics such as

Is it biodegradable?
Is it good for the environment?
Is it okay if it goes down the drain?
Should you use it?
What to use instead?

Is dimethicone biodegradable?

Dimethicone is not considered to be biodegradable because microbes can not break down the structure of dimethicone along with other silicones, and therefore, silicones will remain in the environment for a longer duration of time.

However, the issue at hand is not only about biodegradation, there are other issues also at play. When something persists in nature, it is more likely to cause harm and havoc to the natural systems. The chances of ecotoxicity and bioaccumulation also can not be ignored.

Before we advance further, let us delve lightly into what biodegradation is so that there is no ambiguity anchored to the contents of this article.

Biodegradation is the breakdown that is caused by the action of microbes. This breakdown is essential because it leads to the negation of waste accumulation and this appears advantageous to the environment.

The biodegradability of dimethicone is rather badly reputed because it is argued that dimethicone might last even more than plastics do.

Plastics are also non-biodegradable polymers that may remain in living systems for more than 1000 years. This is just a code for never.

Is dimethicone good or bad?

What is dimethicone in the first place?

The question might stem the feelings of being equivocal or ambiguous, but the intent of the question is asked from an environmental point of view.

With the rise in consumerism all over the world, there is a stark increase of consumer products. The plight is that most consumer products make use of synthetic materials.

While these synthetic materials may be good at delivering the right utility, the products stray away when the topic of environmental interests enters the room.

Steering back to our concern, in order to decide a stance on dimethicone, it is essential to know what dimethicone is in the first place and what it is made of.

Dimethicone is commonly referred to as silicone. You may not be familiar with that dimethicone but it is very probable that you must have gone through the word silicone once or more in your life.

Now, the next question is, what is silicone used for? As it turns out, silicone is mostly used in the cosmetic industry. It is the agent that makes it feel that moisturisers melt on your skin. It provides motion and movement to cosmetic products such as lotions.

Is it good for the environment?

To be able to answer the question, there are other questions that need to be addressed first. These may include

Is it natural or synthetic?
Is it biodegradable?
Does it harm the environment?

While a deliberate account of these questions will be given in the later sections of the article, this section will attempt to keep things concise and to the point.

While dimethicone or silicone is sourced from natural materials as it is made from heating carbon and sand at high temperatures.

However, despite being made from natural materials, dimethicone is given the status of being non-biodegradable because microbes can not break down dimethicone into simpler materials.

Therefore, there is a negative connotation that is developed between dimethicone and the environment.

Is it okay if dimethicone goes down the drain?

The question is very logical. It has been established in the previous sections that the major use of dimethicone is linked with the cosmetic industry. Therefore, when the cosmetic material is washed away, the leftover material is likely to enter the septic systems and drain system.

Therefore, let us ask ourselves what is the relation between dimethicone and the drainage system. The plight, again, is that the relationship is quite negative.

The major reason behind it is that dimethicone is non-biodegradable and therefore, will persist in nature. The risk of toxicity and bioaccumulation can also not be ignored.

The drainage system eventually enters the water bodies and there is a whole ecosystem in these water bodies which include seas and oceans.

Therefore, it can be assumed that when large amounts of non-biodegradable dimethicone will enter the water bodies, there will be negative and degradative effects rendered and reciprocated and these effects can also bounce into other aspects of food chains as well, eventually connecting to us.

This is also backed up by a particular study in the US in which it was estimated that about 5 million tons of silicones enter the water bodies as a result of the extended use of cosmetic products.

Therefore, owing to these complications, there are two questions that seem very logical now

Should you use dimethicone-associated beauty products?
If not, what to use instead?

Should you use dimethicone-associated beauty products? (5 reasons not to)

When it comes to that, there is a straight no. This stance is developed because of the covered points. Let us revisit the highlights discussed so far

Dimethicone is non-biodegradable
Dimethicone can pollute water bodies
Dimethicone can cause eco-toxicity
Dimethicone can cause bioaccumulation
Dimethicone can pollute various aspects of food chains simultaneously

What to use instead?

Since it has been established that using dimethicone-associated products is not really advised, let us cover what you can use instead. When it comes to that, there are several options that you can take advantage of.

You can opt for natural remedies for your skincare instead of depending on synthetic materials
You should attempt to make your own cosmetic products. This will save you your money and the environment too.
You can also prefer silicone-free cosmetic products such as Kaolin, Humectants, colloidal oatmeal et cetera.

Conclusion