What is your favorite WATER-SOLUABLE silicone product? (2025)

I'm currently silicone/sulfate free, as sulfates were simply too drying for my hair. However, I would like to start using silicones again. I find them very protective, especially against split ends, which my fine hair is quite prone to! I assume the best solution to no sulfates + yes silicone = water-soluable silicones. It's been pretty difficult to find any water-soluable silicone products, though. So, of course, I now turn to my favorite hair care resource, LHC!

So, what is everyone's favorite water-soluable silicone product?

I sure would love to know too!

The only thing I’ve tried that’s water soluble is hask cactus Water leave in spray that has peg dimethicone. I’ve only used it a few times so I can’t comment on it yet though. Plus, If Im being honest, I can’t really tell what my hair likes or doesn’t. I need to pay more attention.

It's absolutely fine to use silicones if you're sulfate free, but even *if* you are sulfate free, washing once in a while with a sulfate to get it all cleared off is not a bad idea, say like once every 2 weeks or a month, depending on how much you wash.

I have to wash with sulfates, yes they're drying, but I combat that by conditioning twice. You can or can't put the stuff on the scalp (I can't due to a scalp condition).

If your main surfactant in the shampoo is cocamidopropyl betaine, you're probably fine, and if not, you may still be okay with whatever you use if you thoroughly shampoo the lengths
Another option might be to use silicones that only bind to hair and not to themselves, such as amodimethicone and bis-aminopropyl dimethicone - chemically speaking they should not build up on themselves.

As to the actual question, mine is UK-specific, found in Savers and cheapie / poundshops: Macadamia Oil conditioner (in a black bottle), which contains PEG-dimethicone somewhere down the list of ingredients after a load of plant oils. My cheap Holy Grail conditioner at ~£1 for 400ml

There may also be a Garnier Ultimate Blends conditioner with water-soluble silicone but I cannot think which one off the top of my head, and I've only tried a cone-free one but that works well for me so it made me think maybe others in the same range might be good too. Also their formulations seem to vary by market so you'd have to check the ingredients of each one anyway.

Originally Posted by MusicalSpoons

As to the actual question, mine is UK-specific, found in Savers and cheapie / poundshops: Macadamia Oil conditioner (in a black bottle), which contains PEG-dimethicone somewhere down the list of ingredients after a load of plant oils. My cheap Holy Grail conditioner at ~£1 for 400ml

I don't think this is necessarily UK-specific. I have seen it at Luxplus, for example.

Originally Posted by Ylva

I don't think this is necessarily UK-specific. I have seen it at Luxplus, for example.

Ah cool! In the black bottle, silver swirly pattern? I've seen a different Macadamia Oil brand online that's way more expensive.

Originally Posted by MusicalSpoons

Ah cool! In the black bottle, silver swirly pattern? I've seen a different Macadamia Oil brand online that's way more expensive.

Yeah, this sort!

Originally Posted by Ylva

Yeah, this sort!

Oh yay! Yes that's it, a bit more expensive but I think it's probably still worth it. Decent slip and quite a lot of plant oils

Originally Posted by MusicalSpoons

Oh yay! Yes that's it, a bit more expensive but I think it's probably still worth it. Decent slip and quite a lot of plant oils

That price is a STEAL for the size over here!

Originally Posted by Ylva

That price is a STEAL for the size over here!

True - 400ml bottles are not unusual here but they're either very light conditioners or more expensive than that; Garnier Ultimate Blends are the cheapest I know of when they're on offer at £2 for 360ml (what is with their sizing?! ) or maaaaaybe Herbal Essences, depending on the offer.

[Sorry OP, off topic there!]