Silica for Skin Hydration
Silica appears in beauty supplements with minimal supporting human evidence.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 10mg/day orthosilicic acid if trialled
- Expected timeframe
- 12-20 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid is the only form with meaningful absorption data; horsetail and bamboo silica are poorly absorbed
- duration
- The Barel trial ran 20 weeks
- co factor
- Evidence is insufficient. The single randomised trial of choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid in photodamaged skin measured roughness and elasticity, not hydration, and reported improvements in those parameters over 20 weeks in 50 women. Skin hydration is measured by corneometry and depends on stratum corneum barrier integrity, natural moisturising factors and ambient humidity - it is not obviously related to the collagen synthesis pathway that gives silicon its mechanistic rationale. No trial has measured skin hydration as an endpoint after silicon supplementation, in any form.
- titration
- Not applicable
- starting dose
- Not established for this outcome. The relevant trial used 10 mg/day of silicon as ch-OSA
Evidence
What the studies say
No studies are yet linked to both Silica and Skin Hydration.
Safety
Caveats
Single small study. Not a substitute for barrier-focused topical care.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.
Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.