Silicone Free Struggle

[sgorrell]

This is a long one! I am addicted to makeup and the worst part is - I’m allergic to 98% of it. I found out 4 years ago, based on a little research and some trial and error, that I have a reaction when using products containing silicone (a self labeled allergy). I’d put on my makeup at the beginning of the day, and by the end, I’d be itchy and my face would have little bumps. After I washed my skin, it would return to normal. Since then, I’ve completely cut silicones and silicone derivatives from my routines, including skincare, makeup, hair care, and body care. And yet, it wasn’t enough. I started to notice that I was getting itchy once again, and took another deep dive my ingredients. For those who don’t know, cosmetic silicones are typically synthetic, and when products are labeled silicone free it’s in reference to those synthetic compounds. However, silicon, or silicon dioxide, is a natural “silicone type” of product. Because it’s naturally occurring, it doesn’t fit in the silicone free category. My skin knows no different, and so I found that products including silica, a derivative of silicon dioxide, give me the same reaction. So again, another makeup drawer clean out closer to a perfected routine. Of course that didn’t last, because I did some more research (and more itching) to find that silicates, another derivative of silicon dioxide, do me dirty, too. Likewise, mica, a silicate mineral, has the same effect. I’ve struggled for years on this issue, and I know it doesn’t happen for everyone. Sephora allows you to choose ingredient preferences when searching products, which saves me a lot of time and personal research. The kicker is that a large percentage of products in that refined category still contain silicone, both synthetic and naturally occurring silicon. I’ve took the time and I’ve done the research, and although silicone-free, silicon dioxide-free, silica-free, mica-free products exist, it’s surely slim pickings. That being said, I’d love to share the small but mighty list of products I’ve found that pass the test and keep me from regretting every purchase I’ve ever made. On the plus side, I’m sure saving a lot of my money not buying awesome cult favorites because I can’t use them! 

[Steph9221]

Bite beauty is the only brand ik of which is silicone, alcohol, talc, mica, and fragrance free! The changemaker supercharged micellar foundation is medium coverage and very natural looking 🙂

[KaylieT]

Please share clean silicone & silicon free products you love! 

[KaylieT]

This is incredibly helpful! I’m so sorry for your long struggle and hope you’ve found relief.