Silica is a pretty intriguing ingredient as far as skincare goes. It’s aimed at those with sensitive skin—a growing and relevant concern today. But what’s most interesting about this skincare product is that it works as a supplement, utilizing an outside-in approach.

We called on dermatologist Papri Sarkar, MD; naturopathic doctor Isabel Sharkar, ND; and Michael Somenek, board-certified facial plastic surgeon, to help us learn more about this youth-boosting supplement.

What Is Silica?

You may remember silicon (Si) from your school days—it sits in the periodic table between aluminum and phosphorous. (If you had to Google it, you’re not alone.) When silicon and oxygen combine, they form silica (SiO2), also known as the quartz crystal. You might also recognize silica from those little white moisture-absorbing sachets found in new handbags and shoe boxes.

“Silica is the third most abundant trace element in the human body after iron and zinc,” explains Sharkar. Of course, we’ve all heard of zinc (which bolsters the immune system and helps repair our wounds) and iron (which helps keep our blood healthy). But what’s the deal with this lesser-known silica? “It has such a tremendous impact on skin regeneration—silica is strongly linked with healthy, youthful skin,” says Sharkar. “It also creates bonds between protein molecules, which are responsible for the skin’s natural ability to retain water, critical for repair and cell renewal.”

The Benefits of Silica

• Helps strengthen the body’s connective tissue: Says Sharkar: “It is required for rebuilding collagen; it sits inside collagen, acting as glue, providing strength, flexibility, and resilience to connective tissues.”
• Keeps skin, nails, hair, and teeth healthy: This glue-like function means silica is imperative for helping to keep your nails, teeth, and hair robust and healthy.
• Works as an anti-inflammatory: Silica is a natural anti-inflammatory that may help relieve skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
• Helps balance hormones: This wonder mineral also works to keep other minerals in balance, such as calcium and magnesium, which play an important role in keeping our hormones balanced, too. In fact, Sharkar goes as far as to say, “It is the glue that holds us together; without silica, we literally would break apart.”
• Can be used preventatively: So if our bodies are producing the stuff, why should we be supplementing it? The fact is that, just like how collagen production slows from around the age of 25, silica does too. (Coincidence? We think not). “Anyone in their late 20s-early 30s should look to start taking silica,” says Shakar. “You can use it when you see fine lines or, even better, preventatively.”
• Brightens the skin with continued use: While it will take time to notice a difference—anywhere up to 12 weeks—Sharkar lists numerous impressive benefits you should notice right away, including a brighter complexion and youthful glow, firmer skin with more elasticity (or “bounce”) as well as generally more hydrated skin. It also helps to reduce facial pores, blemishes, and wrinkles.
• Helps oxygenate the skin: “Silica gives you a glow because it is a strong carrier of oxygen, and it increases the transport of nutrients and oxygen to the skin,” Sharkar explains. “It helps red blood cells carry 20 percent more oxygen—and because of that, the skin stays more hydrated as well. Look for your skin to start glowing and for your acne, eczema, or psoriasis to begin to disappear. These would be sure signs that it’s working.”
• Reduces the signs of aging: “Silica supplements remove visible signs of aging by promoting the natural production of collagen,” says Somenek. “Collagen reverses signs of aging by boosting elasticity in the skin.”

Side Effects of Silica Supplements

Silica supplements can be derived from bamboo or the horsetail plant. “Horsetail may not be for everyone, and it may have contraindications in diabetes and pregnancy,” Sharkar warns. “Silicon dioxide, on the other hand, is generally safe. When in doubt, I would consult your holistic healthcare provider before starting any supplement regime. Silica is contraindicated in people with kidney or heart disease or fluid retention.”

How to Use Silica

If you aren’t keen on adding a supplement to your daily routine, you can also bolster your intake of silica through your diet by including plenty of dark leafy greens, leeks, green beans, cucumber, celery, and asparagus.

But the only way to get enough of the mineral is via a supplement: “If you are taking silica in capsule form, 180 to 360 milligrams per day is a good dosage, to start with,” says Sharkar. Somenekconcurs, adding: “Most of the supplements are between 150 mg and 300 mg and recommend one a day, so I would just go with that range as a starting dose.” When shopping for a silica supplement, you want to make sure it doesn’t contain unnecessary or unhealthy additives and fillers. And remember, when it comes to supplements, you get what you pay for.

“Silica supplements also improve skin hydration because silica binds and stimulates water-binding molecules called glycosaminoglycans,” Somenek says. “These molecules can hold nearly one thousand times their weight in water, thus helping provide moisture to the skin.”

When to See a Doctor

“Although some supplements have been shown to help skin (like vitamin A, niacinamide, etc.), in general, I strongly recommend talking to a doctor before starting these,” says Sarkar, who adds that silica supplements, in particular, should only be taken under a doctor’s care.