Hands up if you’ve ever heard of silica? Okay, so one or two clever clogs in the back, but for everyone else, we don’t blame you. While it may not often get the spotlight it deserves, silica is an ingredient that you should absolutely be looking for.

We thought it was about time we gave you a masterclass so you know why you should be looking for silica in skincare. 

What is Silica?

Bear with us as we take a quick trip to the lab. Silica is a natural compound made up of oxygen and silicon molecules that naturally occur in the human body. In fact, following it’s cousins iron and zinc, it is the third most abundant element in the body, so it is kind of a big deal. It is found in bones, tissue, and importantly for us, the skin. 

Importantly, silica is a key part of the collagen production process, which is what keeps your skin plump, tight and juicy. Saggy skin? We don’t know her. Oh and did we mention it also has anti-inflammatory properties as well? Show off. We’re born with high silica levels, but like all good things, these deteriorate as we age. That’s why incorporating silica in skincare has some major benefits. 

Silica benefits for the skin

The benefits of silica in skincare can be summed up in two words: tightening and hydrating. Sign us up! 

Like we said, silica is necessary for collagen production to improve skin elasticity. To dig a little deeper, it stimulates fibroblasts which releases collagen type 1 - the type that minimises fine lines in youthful skin. “It has a tremendous impact on skin regeneration - silica is strongly linked with healthy youthful skin,” says Isabel Sharkar, a naturopathic doctor. It is truly an anti-aging superstar. 

Another fantastic part of ageing (read: not at all fantastic) is that our bodies struggle to retain moisture. This leads to a loss in hydration which is a critical element when it comes to producing collagen and elasticity. Silica promotes glycosaminoglycans (for the sake of our brains, we’re going to call them GAGs) which hold 1000 times their weight in water. Silica binds to the GAG molecules which, you guessed it, leads to hydration station. Moisture levels are also vital for collagen production, so they really do go hand in hand.  

Okay, we did say two benefits but here’s another one for good measure: silica is anti-inflammatory. This means it can help to relieve the symptoms of acne, psoriasis, and eczema. It is also great for sensitive skin as it carries a lot of oxygen and won’t cause irritation. 

How to get your dose of silica 

You want to know what’s better than silica in skincare? Silica in skincare that doubles up as makeup! Our Liquid Mineral Foundation and Loose Mineral Foundation both contain the good stuff so you can soak in all of the silica benefits with a side of coverage. Makeup that boosts collagen production and keeps your skin hydrated really is what dreams are made of.

The foods you eat can also boost your body’s silica levels. You’re going to want to reach for whole grains, fruits and vegetables like beetroot, brown rice and leafy greens - they are all rich in silica!