What makes some of the greatest textured, soft, velvety types of skin creams come from an ingredient called dimethicone. This ingredient being a silicone, hence the ending of the chain name, -cone, has gotten an interesting reputation. Lets start with what people say negative about it.
Dimethicone being a silicone blocks pores.
Because dimethicone is occlusive (to block) means that this ingredient may or may not block essential ingredients and or cause irritation since it can seal. It's been marketed by some to compare it to applying plastic wrap to your skin. However, there is no real scientific gathering that mentions that dimethicone does all these things to suffocate your skin.
Now, lets get to the positives.
Benefits of Dimethicone for Skin
Creates an amazing feeling cream: They provide a silky smooth finish to creams and some lotions. This allows a product to have a light cushion texture and non-greasy that quickly spreads easily.
Seals water: Dimethicone does have occlusive characteristics, that is meant to seal in water and keep outside moisture and dirt off by forming a water-resistant film on the skin.
Won't cause breakouts: Dimethicone is non-cosmogenic (not to cause pore blockage). Because of these traits, it's commonly used in oil-free formulations to provide longer durations of moisturizing. That means your skin will be moisturized for longer periods of time.
Protects the skin: Since the ingredient seals water, it also resists to accepting outside water (That could contain dirt). Thus, dimethicone acts like a skin protectant.