A silicon dioxide material used to absorb oil, alter texture and improve cosmetic feel.
Sources: 1Silicon dioxide
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Silica
What it does
Can reduce a greasy finish, support powder flow or contribute to texture. This formula role is different from treating acne or shrinking pores.
Sources: 1Good for
- Oil-absorbing finishes
- Texture and powder flow
How to use it
Use the finished cosmetic as directed and avoid breathing in loose powder or spray. This ingredient has no separate treatment schedule.
Sources: 1Who should be careful
Avoid inhaling loose powders or sprays and keep them out of the eyes. A skin-use assessment does not automatically establish inhalation suitability.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Particle surface area and structure affect adsorption, slip and light diffusion. Cosmetic amorphous silica must not be equated with every crystalline silica exposure.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
Dust exposure and eye contact can cause irritation; particle properties and the finished product format matter.
Sources: 1Formulation considerations
Record amorphous versus crystalline content, particle size, surface treatment and the intended exposure format. Hydrated silica is a related but separately labeled material.
Sources: 1Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
silica
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
No single structure to show yet
A reviewed, unambiguous PubChem compound identifier is needed before a molecular diagram can be displayed.
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| material scope | Silica is an extended solid network. Grade and particle properties matter; a small isolated SiO2 bond diagram would not describe the cosmetic material. | CIR: Amorphous silica and hydrated silica assessment materials |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (1)
Scientific sources
- CIR: Amorphous silica and hydrated silica assessment materialssafety assessment materials
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