What a 1/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 1 sits at the safe end of the scale — clogging is unlikely for most people. That places Dimethicone in the range most people, including many with acne-prone skin, tolerate well.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Dimethicone, so we publish the range (1) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Dimethicone near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Dimethicone
It is a silicone, used to smooth, blur, and give a soft-focus finish. A breathable silicone that smooths and blurs. Rated 1/5 and fungal-acne safe; occasionally blamed for congestion when layered heavily, but the ingredient itself is low-risk.
On a label it can read as Dimethicone, Polydimethylsiloxane, Pdms — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Dimethicone in makeup and skincare
It is everywhere in primers, foundations, and 'blurring' complexion products, and in serums and moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.