Beauty Best Talsen Dimethicone Vs 33rd Parallel: Oils Compared
Talsen and 33rd Parallel both sell pure silicone oil for hair, but they differ in viscosity and bottle size. Talsen offers thick 1000 cst dimethicone in a huge 1 liter bottle. 33rd Parallel offers cosmetic-grade silicone oil in a 32 ounce bottle. Both deliver the same core benefits: shine, frizz control and heat protection. This comparison examines their formulas, feel and value. Your hair thickness and dosing comfort decide the winner. Pure silicone is pure silicone, so details matter.
| Factor | Talsen Chemicals Dimethicone Oil Pure (1 | 33rd Parallel DIMETHICONE Oil (32 oz) 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | 100% pure dimethicone, one ingredient | 100% pure silicone oil, cosmetic grade |
| Viscosity | 1000 cst, thick and high-shine | Standard cosmetic viscosity |
| Size | 1 liter bottle, lasts for years | 32 ounce bottle, also long-lasting |
| Best for | Maximum control and lowest cost per use | Regular users wanting pure silicone simply |
| Value | Cheapest per drop of any option | Excellent value, slightly higher per ounce |
Our Verdict
Talsen wins for experienced users who want maximum shine and the lowest cost per use. Its thick viscosity delivers dramatic gloss on coarse, thick hair. 33rd Parallel wins for users who want a simpler, cosmetic-grade silicone oil in a manageable bottle. Choose Talsen for heavy-duty shine and unbeatable bulk value. Choose 33rd Parallel for straightforward daily smoothing. Either way, start with two to three drops and clarify regularly. Pure silicone rewards restraint. Your hair type should make this call. Choose based on your hair thickness and budget. Both deliver pure silicone shine. Start with the smallest effective dose. Clarify on schedule without exception.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Thick, frizzy hair needing faster blowouts and humidity control.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, Speeds Up Drying Time, Humidity Resistant, For Frizzy Hair, 8.5 fl. oz
- Silicone-based smoothing serum for frizzy hair
- Speeds up blow-dry time
- Humidity-resistant finish
- Large 8.5 ounce salon bottle
Pros
- Cuts drying time noticeably
- Classic salon staple with loyal fans
Cons
- Strong fragrance
- Can build up with daily use
Best for: Shoppers wanting a silicone serum with natural oil extras.
Sleek'e Silk'e Hair Repair Therapy Serum - Controls Frizz for Silky, Shiny, Smooth Finish (50ML/1.7oz)
- Dimethicone-based serum with squalane and jojoba
- Paraben and sulfate free
- 50 ml bottle for frizz control
- Cruelty-free, vegetarian formula
Pros
- Lightweight silicone with added natural oils
- Good mid-price smoothing serum
Cons
- Small bottle for the price
- Less known brand
Want the Full Picture?
Penetrating vs Sealing Oils: Which Type Your Hair Needs
Not all hair oils do the same job, and the penetrating versus sealing distinction decides whether an oil helps or just sits there. Penetrating oils, like coconut, olive, and argan oil, have small enough molecules to enter the hair shaft, where they reduce protein loss and strengthen from within; they suit damaged, porous, or chemically treated hair that needs internal repair. Sealing oils, like dimethicone-based serums and jojoba, mostly sit on the surface, locking in existing moisture and adding shine; they suit hair that is already healthy but needs frizz control and protection. The serums on this page, including the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny and the dimethicone-based picks, are primarily sealers with smoothing benefits, which is why they excel at frizz control and shine but will not repair internal damage. The practical rule: use penetrating oils as pre-wash treatments on dry hair for repair, and sealing serums as finishing products on damp or dry hair for smoothness. Using a sealer on very dry, porous hair without moisture underneath just seals in the dryness. Our best hair serum for damaged hair guide ranks repair-focused options for hair that needs internal help.
Layering Oils With Styling Products: The Order That Works
Oil plus leave-in plus heat protectant plus styler is a common stack, and the order decides whether it layers smoothly or pills into a mess. The sequence: apply water-based products first, then oil-based ones, since oil seals and anything applied after oil cannot penetrate it. So the order is leave-in conditioner on damp hair, then heat protectant, then a small amount of oil or serum, then styling products like mousse or cream last. The combinations that pill: silicone-heavy serums under water-based gels, which separate into white balls, and too much oil under mousse, which deflates the hold. Amount discipline matters more than product choice: two to three drops of serum for fine hair, a dime-sized amount for thick hair, always on the mid-lengths and ends first, with whatever remains on the hands smoothed over the canopy. If products pill consistently, the culprit is usually layering a silicone serum under a water-based styler; switch the order or drop one. The best hair oils buyer guide covers which oil weights suit which hair types for cleaner layering.
Commercial Blends vs Pure Single Oils: An Honest Comparison
The serums on this page are commercial blends, and the blend versus pure oil question has a less obvious answer than purists admit. Commercial blends win on performance: silicones like dimethicone provide slip, frizz control, and heat protection that no pure plant oil matches, and added fragrance makes the experience pleasant. Pure single oils win on simplicity and cost per milliliter: a 16 oz bottle of pure argan or jojoba oil costs a fraction per use of a 1.7 oz luxury serum, and you know exactly what is touching your hair. The honest tradeoff is cosmetic elegance versus ingredient transparency; blends feel better and perform better for styling, while pure oils are better for pre-wash treatments and sensitive scalps that react to fragrance. What to watch in blends: fragrance near the top of the list on sensitive scalps, and heavy silicones if you follow a silicone-free routine. Neither category is universally better; match the choice to the job, blends for finishing and styling, pure oils for treatment and scalp use.