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Hydrated Silica

What Hydrated Silica is & what it does

A mild silica used as a gentle abrasive, thickener, and oil absorber. It adds a soft texture and helps mattify.

What is Hydrated Silica and what does it do in sunscreen?

Hydrated Silica is a mild form of silica used to absorb oil, thicken, and give a soft, smooth texture. In sunscreen it helps mattify and reduce shine, which makes a formula feel lighter and less greasy on the skin. It also acts as a gentle texturizer in the formula. It appears in many products in our catalog, especially face-focused and light daily sunscreens.

Is Hydrated Silica safe?

Yes. Hydrated silica is widely used in cosmetics, including in toothpaste and many skincare products, and it has a well-established safety record. It is inert and stays on the surface, working physically to absorb oil and smooth texture rather than reacting with skin. It is well tolerated for most people, including sensitive skin.

Does Hydrated Silica clog pores?

Generally no. It is an oil-absorbing powder rather than an oil or wax, and it is often used specifically to reduce shine and keep a formula feeling light. That makes it a friendly choice for oily and combination skin. As always, heavier emollients elsewhere in a product are the more likely cause of breakouts.

Is Hydrated Silica the same as a mineral UV filter?

No. Hydrated Silica is a texture and mattifying ingredient, not a UV filter. The mineral filters in sunscreen are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are what actually block UV. Silica is sometimes added alongside them to improve feel and cut down shine, but it does not provide sun protection on its own.

Is Hydrated Silica natural or synthetic?

Silica occurs naturally as a mineral, and the hydrated silica used in cosmetics is typically a purified, processed form of it. Either way it is mineral-based and contains no animal-derived material, so it suits vegan formulas. It is chosen for its reliable oil-absorbing and smoothing behavior.

Sunscreens with Hydrated Silica

We rate 177 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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