IGS Position Statement on Dimethicone in Animal Grooming Products

Public Position Statement

Dimethicone is a widely used silicone-based ingredient found in cosmetic, dermatological and grooming formulations. It is commonly used for its smoothing, conditioning, anti-frizz, shine-enhancing, protective and film-forming properties.

The International Grooming Society recognizes that dimethicone is not considered a high-risk systemic toxicant based on current available evidence when used appropriately on intact skin in well-formulated topical products. Its direct irritation and sensitization profile is generally regarded as low, and dimethicone is also used in some human skin-protective contexts.

However, the IGS Ingredient Classification Framework does not evaluate ingredients only through conventional toxicology or regulatory permission. IGS also considers real grooming conditions, repeated professional exposure, coat physiology, residue buildup, animal-specific factors, environmental fate, formulation transparency and compatibility with the DAATA dermatological grooming approach.

From this broader professional perspective, IGS considers the routine cosmetic use of dimethicone in animal grooming products to be problematic, particularly when used in leave-on products, sprays, detangling products, shine products, finishing products, heavy conditioners, 2-in-1 shampoos or formulas marketed as “instant coat repair.”

For this reason, IGS does not consider routine cosmetic use of dimethicone to be DAATA-compatible.

What Is Dimethicone?

Dimethicone, also known as polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS, is a silicone-based polymer. It belongs to the broader family of silicone ingredients used to improve product texture, spreadability, softness, surface feel and visual finish.

In animal grooming products, dimethicone may be used to:

• improve slip during brushing or combing;

• reduce friction between hair fibres;

• add shine;

• reduce frizz;

• create a smooth or silky finish;

• make the coat feel softer;

• provide a temporary protective film;

• reduce static;

• improve the sensory feel of a formula;

• create a polished cosmetic finish.

These effects can be useful from a purely cosmetic point of view. A dry, porous, damaged or difficult coat may appear smoother and more manageable after the application of a dimethicone-containing product.

However, IGS emphasizes that cosmetic improvement in appearance or touch should not be confused with true improvement in coat health.

A coated coat is not necessarily a restored coat.

IGS Scientific Position

IGS does not classify dimethicone in the same category as high-concern preservatives, formaldehyde releasers, PFAS, harsh sulfates, certain sensitizing fragrance systems or other ingredients with stronger evidence of toxicological concern.

The concern with dimethicone is different.

The main issue is not that dimethicone is highly toxic when applied to intact skin. The main issue is that dimethicone functions primarily as a hydrophobic film-forming ingredient. It coats the surface of the hair shaft, improves slip and creates a smooth cosmetic finish.

This film-forming effect may:

• mask the real condition of the coat;

• give the impression of repair without true structural restoration;

• contribute to residue buildup over time;

• reduce the effectiveness of gentle cleansing systems;

• increase the need for stronger clarifying shampoos;

• encourage a cycle of coating followed by more aggressive cleansing;

• interfere with accurate coat assessment;

• contradict the DAATA objective of improving coat quality while respecting skin and hair physiology.

For these reasons, IGS considers routine cosmetic use of dimethicone poorly aligned with dermatological grooming principles.

Why Dimethicone Requires a Nuanced Assessment

IGS does not promote fear-based ingredient analysis.

Dimethicone should not be presented as an ingredient that is automatically dangerous in every context. The available evidence does not support classifying dimethicone as a major topical toxicant when used appropriately on intact skin.

However, professional animal grooming requires a broader assessment than standard consumer cosmetic use.

A product used occasionally by a pet owner does not create the same reality as a product used repeatedly in a grooming salon. Professional groomers may use multiple products every day, on multiple animals, in enclosed spaces, with repeated hand contact, aerosol exposure, fragrance exposure and cumulative product residue.

In this context, the key question is not only:

“Is dimethicone legally allowed?”

The more relevant professional questions are:

• Does it support the real condition of the coat?

• Does it respect skin and coat physiology?

• Does it leave unnecessary residue?

• Does it increase the need for stronger cleansing?

• Does it mask damage instead of helping the groomer assess it?

• Is it safe in spray formats under salon conditions?

• Is it transparent from an environmental and formulation perspective?

• Is it compatible with DAATA dermatological grooming principles?

For IGS, these questions are essential.

DAATA/IGS Classification

Within the IGS Ingredient Classification Framework, dimethicone should be assessed according to product format, purpose, frequency of use, exposure route and formulation transparency.

D — Not DAATA-compatible

IGS classifies dimethicone as D — Not DAATA-compatible when it is used as a routine cosmetic film-forming ingredient in:

• leave-on sprays;

• detangling sprays;

• shine sprays;

• finishing products;

• anti-frizz products;

• heavy conditioners;

• silicone-based masks;

• 2-in-1 shampoos;

• show grooming products designed to create an artificial finish;

• products marketed as “instant repair” for damaged coats.

This classification is based on coat physiology, residue concerns, professional-use reality, environmental responsibility and DAATA compatibility. It is not based on an alarmist interpretation of acute toxicity.

C — Avoid when possible

Dimethicone may fall into C — Avoid when possible when present at low levels in rinse-off products where it is not technically essential and where a more DAATA-compatible formulation could reasonably be used.

B — Acceptable with justification

Dimethicone may only be considered B — Acceptable with justification in limited, targeted situations where:

• the purpose is protective rather than cosmetic;

• the product is used short-term;

• the application is localized;

• the product is not sprayed or aerosolized;

• the risk of licking has been considered;

• the formulation is species-appropriate;

• the brand provides full technical documentation;

• any dermatological claim is properly supported.

This exception does not apply to routine cosmetic coat-finishing products.

E — Under review / Avoid pending data

Dimethicone in aerosol, airbrush, micronized or highly respirable spray formats should be considered E — Under review / Avoid pending adequate data unless inhalation safety has been specifically assessed for professional grooming conditions.

Why IGS Discourages Routine Cosmetic Use

1. Cosmetic masking

Dimethicone can make a coat look smoother, softer and shinier without addressing the underlying cause of dryness, porosity, breakage or poor coat quality.

This can create a misleading impression for groomers, owners and brands. A coat that feels silky because it is coated is not necessarily a coat that has been improved.

IGS considers this distinction essential.

2. Residue buildup

Water-insoluble silicones such as dimethicone may accumulate on the hair shaft, especially with repeated use. This is particularly relevant in professional grooming, where products may be applied regularly across maintenance appointments, salon finishing routines or show grooming practices.

Over time, residue buildup may:

• make the coat harder to wet;

• interfere with gentle cleansing;

• affect the way future products interact with the hair shaft;

• make the true coat condition harder to assess;

• contribute to a coated or artificial feel.

3. Stronger cleansing needs

If dimethicone residues accumulate, their removal may require stronger cleansing systems. This may increase reliance on clarifying shampoos or harsher surfactants.

This is not aligned with the DAATA objective of reducing unnecessary stress on the skin and coat.

In DAATA-compatible grooming, the goal is not to repeatedly coat the hair and then remove the coating with stronger cleansing. The goal is to work with the real condition of the skin and coat using protocols that respect the animal’s physiology.

4. Professional exposure

Professional groomers may be exposed to the same product types repeatedly throughout the working day.

Spray formats are of particular concern because they may create inhalation exposure, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated salons.

IGS recommends additional caution with:

• leave-on sprays;

• aerosols;

• airbrush products;

• fine mist products;

• products applied near the animal’s face;

• products used repeatedly throughout the day.

The professional-use context must be taken seriously.

5. Animal-specific considerations

Dogs and cats are not human cosmetic users.

Animal skin, coat density, grooming behaviour, licking exposure, breed differences, coat type and dermatological sensitivity must all be considered.

Cats and animals likely to lick residues require particular caution. Products that remain on the coat may be ingested during self-grooming.

IGS therefore discourages routine use of dimethicone-containing leave-on products on animals without a clear professional justification.

6. Environmental considerations

Dimethicone is not a simple biodegradable ingredient. It is hydrophobic, poorly water-soluble and may be transferred into wastewater sludge rather than disappearing after rinsing.

Although dimethicone is different from cyclic siloxanes such as D4, D5 and D6, silicone raw materials may contain residual cyclic siloxanes. For this reason, IGS encourages brands to provide documentation on raw material quality and residual D4/D5/D6 levels.

Environmental responsibility is part of the IGS Ingredient Classification Framework and must be considered alongside skin, coat and professional exposure concerns.

Distinction from D4, D5 and D6

IGS emphasizes that dimethicone must not be confused with cyclic siloxanes such as D4, D5 and D6.

D4, D5 and D6 have a more concerning environmental regulatory profile and have been subject to stricter restrictions in the European Union.

Dimethicone is a linear silicone polymer, while D4, D5 and D6 are cyclic siloxanes. This distinction is scientifically important.

However, the fact that dimethicone is different from D4, D5 and D6 does not automatically make it DAATA-compatible.

The IGS position on dimethicone is based on its own film-forming behaviour, residue potential, grooming-use reality, environmental fate, possible raw material impurities and compatibility with dermatological coat-care principles.

Recommendations for Groomers

IGS recommends that professional groomers:

• read ingredient lists carefully;

• identify dimethicone and related silicone ingredients;

• avoid relying on silicone-based products to mask coat damage;

• be cautious with leave-on sprays, shine sprays and detangling sprays;

• avoid routine use of silicone finishing products;

• avoid spraying products near the animal’s face;

• ensure good ventilation when using spray products;

• avoid routine use on animals with active skin disease unless professionally justified;

• be especially cautious with cats and animals likely to lick residues;

• consider whether repeated silicone use is increasing the need for stronger cleansing;

• explain to clients that shine and softness do not always mean true coat restoration;

• prioritize grooming protocols that improve the real condition of the coat rather than covering it.

Recommendations for Brands

IGS recommends that brands using dimethicone provide clear documentation on:

• the exact silicone ingredient used;

• the concentration range;

• whether the product is rinse-off or leave-on;

• the intended technical function;

• the raw material specification;

• residual D4, D5 and D6 levels;

• safety data for professional use;

• inhalation assessment for spray products;

• species suitability;

• environmental rationale;

• evidence supporting any dermatological or barrier-related claim.

IGS also recommends avoiding misleading claims such as:

• “natural silicone”;

• “chemical-free”;

• “repairs the coat”;

• “restores the skin barrier”;

• “safe for all animals”;

• “eco-friendly” without environmental documentation;

• “non-toxic” without context.

A more transparent statement would be:

“Contains dimethicone, a silicone-based conditioning and film-forming ingredient used to improve slip and reduce friction. Not intended to treat dermatological disease. Use according to instructions and avoid excessive buildup.”

Public IGS Position

The International Grooming Society does not consider dimethicone to be a high-risk systemic toxicant based on current available evidence.

However, IGS does not consider routine cosmetic use of dimethicone in professional grooming products to be aligned with DAATA-compatible dermatological grooming.

Dimethicone may temporarily improve coat feel, shine and manageability, but it does so primarily by forming a surface film. This can mask the true condition of the coat, contribute to residue buildup, complicate gentle cleansing protocols and increase reliance on stronger cleansing systems over time.

For this reason, IGS discourages the routine use of dimethicone in professional animal grooming products, especially in leave-on products, sprays, detangling products, shine products, finishing products, 2-in-1 shampoos and products marketed as instant coat repair.

Dimethicone may only be acceptable in limited, technically justified applications where the purpose is targeted barrier protection rather than cosmetic masking, and where the brand provides appropriate safety, species, residue and environmental documentation.

Access the Full IGS Report on Dimethicone

This public position statement summarizes the IGS position on dimethicone for groomers, brands, educators and animal-care professionals.

For professionals who wish to go further, IGS has prepared a complete technical report on dimethicone in animal grooming products.

Read the full report here:https://www.internationalgroomingsociety.org/post/comprehensive-report-on-dimethicone-in-animal-grooming-products

The complete report is reserved for IGS members and provides a more detailed scientific and professional analysis, including:

• expanded toxicological considerations;

• coat physiology and residue-related concerns;

• environmental fate and sustainability issues;

• professional exposure in grooming salons;

• raw material and cyclic siloxane considerations;

• DAATA/IGS classification rationale;

• practical recommendations for groomers and brands.

IGS members gain access to the full dimethicone report, along with other member-only ingredient reports, professional tools, educational resources and science-based guidance developed within the IGS Ingredient Classification Framework.

Professionals who are not yet members are invited to join IGS to access the complete report and support the development of independent, evidence-based resources for safer, more transparent and more responsible grooming practices.

Become an IGS member and access the full report:https://www.internationalgroomingsociety.org/post/comprehensive-report-on-dimethicone-in-animal-grooming-products

Final Statement

Dimethicone should not be assessed through fear-based language. It is not the same type of concern as high-risk preservatives, strongly sensitizing ingredients or substances with clearer systemic toxicity concerns.

However, in professional animal grooming, safety cannot be reduced to the absence of acute toxicity.

For IGS, the key question is whether an ingredient supports long-term skin and coat health, professional safety, environmental responsibility and transparent formulation practices.

In the case of dimethicone, routine cosmetic use does not meet that standard.

IGS therefore classifies routine cosmetic use of dimethicone as not DAATA-compatible and encourages groomers and brands to move toward lower-residue, more transparent and more physiologically respectful alternatives.