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.
Dimethicone comedogenic FAQ
Is Dimethicone comedogenic?
Not usually. Dimethicone is rated 1/5, which is low risk on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it is unlikely to clog pores for most people, including many with acne-prone skin. Sources disagree on Dimethicone, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Dimethicone?
Dimethicone has a comedogenic rating of 1/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 132 rate higher than Dimethicone, 28 rate lower, and 29 others share its 1/5. Among the 3 rated silicones, none rate higher and none lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Dimethicone pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 1/5, Dimethicone sits in the range generally treated as non-comedogenic. Concentration still matters: an ingredient near the top of a label makes up far more of the product than one near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.