Aveeno - safe?

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:23 pm

Hi all,

On this and other CD forums, I have seen frequent references to Aveeno products as being not only good for your skin, but also seemingly hair growth retarders. I thought I'd give it a try, and got a tube of their moisturizer. The active ingrediat is: Dimethicone.
Dimethicone actually a silicone derived emollient, and is used in a huge number of products unrelated to skin care. Of course, I Googled it.
I found the following quote:

>>>>>>
Silicone emollients are occlusive - that is they coat the skin, trapping anything beneath it, and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap would do.)
Recent studies have indicated that prolonged exposure of the skin to sweat, by occlusion, causes skin irritation. Some synthetic emollients are known tumour promoters and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes. They are also non-biodegradable, causing negative environmental impact.

Dimethicone
Dimethicone Copolyol
Cyclomethicone

Silicone was and still is used as breast implants. Tens of thousands of women with breast implants have complained of debilitating symptoms. Anecdotal evidence indicates silicone to be toxic to the human body. For more detailed information on the dangers of silicone simply key "silicone toxicity" into the Google search engine
<<<<<<

The website is:
http://www.health-report.co.uk/ingredie ... ectory.htm
There are many more if you search on Google.

Maybe I am an alarmist, but I suggest using the stuff with caution. Always read the ingredient list.

Hugs,

Willy

Post by **DonnaT** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:04 pm

Thanks for the warning Willy.

The dimethicone in Aveeno is a topical ointment, and does not penetrate into the body, like leaking silicone from a breast implant.

dimethicone (di·meth·i·cone) (di-meth¢[ibreve]-k[omacr]n) 1. a silicone oil consisting of dimethylsiloxane polymers with viscosities from 0.65 to 3,000,000 centistokes at 25°C.

The term is often used with a numeric suffix which indicates the approximate viscosity of the various grades in centistokes, e.g., the viscosity of dimethicone 200 in centistokes is 190 to 210.

Dimethicones are used as ingredients of ointments and other preparations for topical application to protect the skin against water-soluble irritants.

dimethicone 350, a grade of dimethicone having a viscosity of approximately 350 centistokes at 25°C; a prosthetic aid for soft tissues.

Also note: dimethylsiloxane polymers are used for many chin implants
http://www.chinaugmentation.com/chin_au ... on_faq.htm

WHAT IS THE WORD ON SILICONE?
Silicone is a generic term for a family of polymers derived from the element silicon (Si). Silicone is biologically inert. Silicon has the same valence structure as carbon and forms stable hydrophobic bonds, and as a result these compounds are inert and temperature resistant. As an implantable biomaterial it is most commonly used in the form of the dimethylsiloxane polymer which is a large molecule of repetitive units containing silicon, oxygen and methane, ((CH3)3SiO-[(CH3)2SiO]x-Si(CH3)3).

There are two major types of medical-grade silicone: liquid and solid. The breast implant controversy involved liquid silicone encapsulated in a hard shell. When the implant leaked, liquid silicone was dispersed in the body, often producing problems.

It is a fact, however, that solid silicone will not "leak out." Furthermore, there have been absolutely no clinical findings of cancer risk from solid (or recently - even liquid silicone). Plastic-surgery-savvy customers know that many facial implants, including chin, cheek and jaw are usually made of soft solid silicone. The conclusion: solid silicone is just as safe as basically any other implant material. However, you should always remember that a foreign material is not a part of your body (this includes dental fillings, by the way) - there will always be risk.

http://www.cosmeticsurgerylosangeles.ne ... uscle.html

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 2:27 pm

Hi DonnaT,

Thanks for the chemical amplification. However, I still think the critical sentence is:
"Silicone emollients are occlusive - that is they coat the skin, trapping anything beneath it, and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap would do.)"
I wonder if by simply blocking the hair follicles and the associated sebaceous gland apertures, the silicone coating can inhibit hair growth?

Willy

Virginia · Post by **Virginia** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:59 pm

OK , I went a got my bottle of "Aveeno" Daily Moisturizing Lotion (with Natural Coloidal Oatmeal. The closest thing I could find was
distearyldimonium chloride (two pair of reading glasses and ten minutes to type that). It also says on the bottle ".....is noncomedognic (won't clog pores)..." I know they make different products, but this one seems OK!
and Donna !!! Who the hell are you!!!! What a wealth of information!!! Reading your information reminds me of why I took biology and not chemistry!

Virginia

Post by **DonnaT** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:20 pm

Willy wrote:Hi DonnaT,

Thanks for the chemical amplification. However, I still think the critical sentence is:
"Silicone emollients are occlusive - that is they coat the skin, trapping anything beneath it, and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap would do.)"
I wonder if by simply blocking the hair follicles and the associated sebaceous gland apertures, the silicone coating can inhibit hair growth?

Willy

True, but that is a very broad statement and all encompassing. I'd be more inclined to worry if they gave proof that the dimethicone used in Aveeno did the smae thing. As it is, I use it all the time and haven't noticed any problems with the skin not being able to breath or sweat.

Heck, I'm 49 going on 50 and still have acne problems due to eating peanut butter, for example, but the Aveeno hasn't caused any problems for me.

As for the hair growth being retarded, I think it has more to do with the soy extract.

Post by **DonnaT** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:23 pm

Virginia wrote:Donna !!! Who the hell are you!!!! What a wealth of information!!! Reading your information reminds me of why I took biology and not chemistry!
Virginia

I do a lot of research. Part of my job in the Patent field.

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:30 am

Hi Virginia et al,

Maybe they make special Aveeno for Florida. My local Walgreens carries about a dozen different Aveeno products, and every one says: Active ingredient: Dimethicone.

I know ! Florida pores need clogging because of our constant lovely weather.

Willy

Kerri · Post by **Kerri** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 5:00 pm

Hey DonnaT,

Have you researched the causes of acne? Recent publications in the UK dismiss the notion that acne is caused or aggravated by what you eat.
I'm 52 and some... and still suffer from acne..... but now I can eat my chocolate bar safe in the knowledge that it doesnt aggravate my acne.
Do you like crunchy or smooth?

Kerri

Post by **DonnaT** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:01 pm

Smooooth Kerri

Haven't had much peanut butter since I started my diet in Aug. Not as much acne either

I guess some of us got it and some don't

Jaye · Post by **Jaye** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 4:10 am

Aveeno does make a couple of products that are supposed to reduce the need for shaving. They make a shave gel and lotion in their Positively Smooth line. I tried the gel a couple of months ago. I shaved my face only with it every day for a couple of weeks, then went two days without shaving. Normally, I get a little scrappy-looking after just that amount of time, but the beard growth was definitely slowed. It was almost as if only one day had passed, and even that seemed softer by comparison.

I'd buy the Aveeno stuff all the time, but I go through a lot of shaving product, and at almost $7.00/can (even at WalMart!), it's a little steep for everyday use.

Anne · Post by **Anne** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:52 am

I've used Aveeno on my legs and a bit on arms, etc. for awhile. No bad reaction.

I started after shaving legs - - even when I grew the hair back, it is lighterand less course.

If it is truly bad, then I'll sue and have more retirement. If it is ok, I'll have nice legs :-)

Anne