Ingredient dictionary

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a flexible, network-like silicone that gives a soft, smooth feel. It helps spread products evenly and adds slip without a heavy, greasy film. It is on the label of 38 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: it belongs to the silicone family, which some people avoid for curly-hair routines or to cut build-up, though silicones are considered safe.

Silicones. Silicones are safe and give slip and shine. Some people avoid them for curly-hair routines or to cut build-up.

What Dimethicone Crosspolymer does

Gives a soft, cushiony feel
Helps products spread evenly
Adds slip and a silky finish

Dimethicone Crosspolymer starts as dimethicone, a common silicone made of long, repeating chains. Chemists link these chains together with small chemical bridges, forming a loose, three-dimensional network. The result is a soft, flexible material that can thicken a formula and hold it together.

Formulators use it to change how a product feels and spreads. It helps a product feel smooth and cushiony rather than heavy. Because it spreads easily and leaves a silky layer, it often shows up in moisturizers, primers and concealers, where an even, smooth base matters.

Good for

People who want a smooth, lightweight feel in moisturizers, primers and concealers, with most skin types.

Be careful if

It belongs to the silicone family, which some people avoid for curly-hair routines or to cut build-up, though silicones are considered safe.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dimethicone Crosspolymer bad for your skin?

Silicones like this are widely used and generally considered safe for cosmetic use. Everyone's skin reacts differently, though, so if you break out easily, try a small amount of a new product first.

Is Dimethicone Crosspolymer the same as dimethicone?

They are related but not the same. Dimethicone is a silicone made of straight chains, while Dimethicone Crosspolymer has those chains linked into a network. That network makes it soft and flexible rather than runny.