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Not ALL Silicones Are Bad for Curly Hair
Are silicones bad for curly hair?
Not all of them. Water-soluble silicones such as dimethiconol add shine, slip and frizz control, and they rinse out with a gentle cleanser like a co-wash. Non-soluble silicones such as dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane are the ones that build up, especially if you only co-wash. Clear that buildup with a clarifying (detox) shampoo or an apple cider vinegar rinse. Wuli's own range is silicone-free.
What’s in the video
Amadou unpacks the most misunderstood ingredient in curly haircare. Not all silicones are the same — and blindly avoiding them all means missing out on real benefits like shine, slip, and frizz control.
- The difference between water-soluble silicones (e.g. dimethiconol) and non-soluble silicones (e.g. dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane)
- Why water-soluble silicones wash out easily and don't cause buildup
- Why non-soluble silicones are the real problem — especially if you only co-wash
- How to identify which type is in your products by reading the label
- The detox fix: a clarifying shampoo or apple cider vinegar treatment to remove silicone buildup
Read the full transcript
Ah, silicones, the most misunderstood ingredient in curly haircare. Let's break down what this elusive ingredient is all about in another truth bomb. Curlies of the world have been led to believe that virtually any silicone is bad for your hair, causing irreparable damage and suffocating the hair.
But this can mean missing out on some real beneficial qualities. See, not all silicones are evil. There are different types. You see, water-based silicones like dimethiconol can provide amazing shine, slip, and frizz control without increasing product buildup on your hair. Even better, they wash out easily with gentle cleansers like our co-wash.
It's the non-water-soluble silicones that you've got to be mindful of. These include silicones like dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane, which are commonly found in cheap styling products. Now, if you're only co-washing, that's not getting rid of these products anytime soon.
But a deep detox is sure to do the work. So fear not. Learn to identify these water-soluble silicones. And when in trouble, use a detox shampoo or an apple cider vinegar treatment to save the day. And now the mother of all questions. What's your take on silicones? Let's discuss below.
