Hydrated silica is a non-toxic compound of silicon dioxide bonded to water molecules, found in nature and manufactured for use in toothpaste, cosmetics, and body care products. It is not chemically reactive and is generally recognized as safe by the FDA.
Hydrated silica consists of the chemical compound silicon dioxide in a form that is bonded to water molecules. The water content of this compound can vary, and if the silicon dioxide is completely dissolved in water, the compound is called silicic acid. In nature, hydrated silica occurs in various forms, such as diatomaceous earth and opals. It can also be manufactured, and therefore usually contains enough water to produce a white gelatinous substance that lacks both taste and odor, and which can be used as a mild abrasive and to increase the viscosity, or thickness, of various products. This substance is non-toxic and is commonly used in toothpastes, cosmetics and body care products.
Silicon, also known as silica and having the chemical formula SiO2, is a nonmetal, which means it has some of the characteristics of metals and some of the characteristics of nonmetals. It should not be confused with silicone, which is a polymer. Silicon is one of the most common chemical elements on earth and, in the form of silicon oxide, is found in sand, quartz, flint, granite and many other minerals.
In the form of hydrated silica, it is also found in the cell walls of a type of algae called diatoms. Diatomaceous earth, a type of soft sedimentary rock mined for a variety of industrial uses, consists of hardened sediments of fossilized diatoms. It is also found as opal, a type of gemstone that consists of silicon dioxide with a water content that is commonly 6-10%.
A very common use of the manufactured hydrated silica is as an ingredient in toothpaste, valued for its abrasive properties that help remove plaque and tartar. In ordinary toothpastes, hydrated silica is often ground until the grains are about 8 microns in diameter. For use in special whitening toothpastes, the grains are slightly larger, commonly 10 microns in diameter, which gives a more abrasive effect. In older types of toothpaste, diatomaceous earth was used for the same purpose. This substance is also used in various personal care products such as skin creams, deodorants and face scrubs.
In chemistry, hydrated silica is sometimes referred to as an inert substance, meaning it is not chemically reactive. This substance is not known to be toxic or cause cancer, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has classified it as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). It is important not to confuse this type of silica with crystalline silica, which is a toxic substance.
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