All you need to know about silicone in hair products

1. What is silicone?
   
2. Why is it used in hair products?
   
3. Can silicone damage your hair?
   
4. Does Pantene have silicone in its products?
   

When you read labels of certain hair products that have “silicone-free” written on them, it’s natural to wonder - what is so special about silicone-free products? Or what does it mean to have silicone in hair products?

We're here to answer all your queries and also, help you understand that the presence of some silicone in hair products can actually benefit your hair.

Silicones are synthetic polymers that create a protective seal to help retain moisture. Since they are known to be biocompatible, they can easily exist within biological materials like hair. Usually, silicones are non-reactive and stable, which makes them effective for a long period. It’s commonly used in skincare and other cosmetic products as they keep your skin soft and smooth.

Using silicones for hair dates back to the ‘70s when they became quite popular due to their conditioning and multi-tasking abilities. Silicone in shampoos also helps you deal with common hair woes by moisturising your tresses, fighting frizz, boosting shine, and tending to rough edges. If you often wake up with a bedhead, silicones can come to your rescue as they tame your hair by making it smooth and manageable. What’s more? It can hold your hairstyle for a long time.

If it’s good to use silicone for hair, why do some consumers have qualms about using products that contain silicone? Many believe that silicone in hair products can clog the pores in the scalp and trigger *hair loss. Fortunately, this is not true. There are chances that silicones can weigh your hair down but this occurs if you choose hair products that do not suit your hair type.

Silicones in hair products do not harm your hair. Instead, they shield your hair from the harmful elements by creating a protective layer around the hair shaft. Are you still not convinced? Allow our resident hair specialist @bradmullinshair to demystify the myth around the silicones used in hair products. He says, “Conventional silicones can coat the hair and weigh it down; Pantene’s modern silicones go beyond softening. Finding, and targeting damage to nourish hair.”

Pantene offers a wide range of hair products, both silicone and silicone-free, which are tailored to suit your hair type and unique hair care needs. While some people believe that using silicone for hair can cause scalp buildup or make their mane dull, it largely depends on your hair type.

If you have fine hair and want to add volume to your hair, silicone-based hair products might not be the best choice for you. If your hair type falls under this category, and you are looking for silicone-free hair products, here are some great options:

• Pantene Aqua Light Collection
  If you are prone to greasy hair, Pantene Aqua Light Shampoo is the perfect option for you. Created with 0% silicones, paraffin, colourants, and mineral oil, this shampoo gently cleanses your hair and nourishes your strands without weighing them down. This is an ideal hair product for those who have fine hair as it offers you a deep cleanse without dulling your hair or making it fall flat. Pair the silicone-free shampoo with Pantene Aqua Light Conditioner that is created with a lightweight formula and contains micro-fortifiers to give you clean, free-flowing hair.

• Pantene Sheer Volume Collection
  If voluminous locks top your list of hair goals, then give Pantene Sheer Volume Collection a try. This silicone-free collection will fortify fine hair that feels flat and lifeless and transform it into healthy tresses. Created with 0% silicones, paraffin, mineral oil, and colourants, Pantene Sheer Volume Shampoo is the answer to your hair woes. The micro-boosters used in this shampoo readily absorb into your hair’s core to nourish and strengthen your locks, leaving them healthy and voluminous. Use this shampoo along with Pantene Sheer Volume Conditioner that is created using Pro-V nutrients to give you bouncy hair all day long.

• Pantene Micellar Series
  Pantene’s Micellar Series contains 0% silicones, and offers gentle cleansing and restores your hair’s shine and strength. You can try Pantene Micellar Rosewater Moisture Restoring Shampoo and Conditioner that is created with a lightweight formula to give your dry, thirsty locks an intense dose of hydration. For gentle cleansing, try Pantene Micellar Gentle Cleansing Shampoo and Conditioner. They contain micelles that remove impurities and protect your hair’s natural texture. The Aloe Vera Gentle Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner is free of silicone, dyes, and parabens, and gets rid of dirt and other impurities without stripping your hair of its natural moisture and nutrients. Another great option for a deep cleanse would be to use Pantene Charcoal Root Purifying Shampoo and Conditioner. While the shampoo removes dirt and other gunk that make your hair dull and lifeless, the charcoal conditioner leaves you with voluminous, shiny, and soft tresses.

• Pantene Smooth & Sleek Collection
  Frizzy hair doesn’t give you a great base for trying out different hairstyles. To tame hair frizz, try Pantene Smooth & Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner. Formulated with 0% silicones, mineral oils, paraffin, and colourants, this shampoo and conditioner straightens out frizz and strengthens your hair from the inside. This collection is designed to lock in moisture and turn your frizzy hair into sleek, smooth locks that are healthy and strong.

• Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Collection
  Your dry, thirsty locks need moisture to heal. And the Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner does exactly that. Created without silicones, mineral oils, paraffin, and colourants, these hair products are formulated with three times more moisturisers than your regular shampoo and conditioner. Result? You get hair that is strengthened from the inside and does not break due to dryness.

• Pantene Ultimate 10 Repair & Protect Collection
  Frequent heat styling and exposure to environmental stressors can weaken your hair and make it prone to breakage. With Pantene Ultimate 10 Repair & Protect Shampoo and Conditioner, you can reverse the damage and restore your hair’s lost strength and shine. The silicone-free shampoo and conditioner are also free from paraffin, mineral oils, and colourants. The Pro-V formula penetrates the core of your hair and nourishes it from the inside so that you can flaunt stronger, healthier locks that are also free from split ends.

We guess this hair advice is enough to let you know that the presence of silicone in hair products isn’t harmful. Now, the choice is yours! You can either benefit from silicone-containing products or use the ones without silicone.

*All references on this page refers to hair fall or hair loss due to breakage.