Understanding Dimethicone Numbers: Viscosity and Texture

Question

What do the numbers in Dimethicone product names (e.g., /50, /100, /1000) represent, and do they indicate the viscosity or lightness/feel of the silicone, with lower numbers meaning a lighter feel?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Understanding Dimethicone Numbers: Viscosity Explained

The numbers such as /50, /100, and /1000 in Dimethicone product names refer to the viscosity of the silicone fluid. Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow – essentially, how thick or thin it is.

Lower numbers indicate lower viscosity, meaning the Dimethicone is thinner and feels lighter.
Higher numbers indicate higher viscosity, meaning the Dimethicone is thicker and feels heavier.

So, yes, these numbers directly relate to the "lightness" or feel of the silicone. A smaller number signifies a less viscous, lighter-feeling Dimethicone.

For example, based on the product information:

Dimethicone (Ultra Light/1.5, Low-Odor) has a viscosity of 1.5 cSt.
Dimethicone (Very Light/5, Low-Odor) has a viscosity of 5 cSt.
Dimethicone (Light/50, Low-Odor) has a viscosity of 50 cSt.
Dimethicone (Light/100, Low-Odor) has a viscosity of 100 cSt.
Dimethicone (Medium/500, Low-Odor) has a viscosity of 350 cSt (Note: The name might indicate 500, but the description specifies 350 cSt).
Dimethicone (Heavy/500k, Low-Odor) has a viscosity of 500,000 cSt.

As you can see, the smallest numbers correspond to the "Ultra Light" and "Very Light" descriptions, confirming that lower viscosity numbers mean a lighter texture.