Sodium Silicate
Soluble silicate salt. In cosmetics acts as a pH buffer and corrosion inhibitor for aluminium packaging. More common in cleansers and masks. Alkaline on its own, neutralized in the finished formula.
Supporting ingredient
It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Sodium Silicate (water glass) is a soluble alkaline silicic acid salt. In cosmetics it acts as a pH buffer and corrosion inhibitor for aluminium packaging (aerosols, tubes). Mechanism. In its salt form it produces an alkaline pH (>11), but in the finished formula it is neutralised by acid to the target range. On aluminium it builds a thin silicate layer that prevents the metal from reacting with acidic components. Where applied. Cleansers, masks, hair products, aerosol packaging. Final-product concentration rarely exceeds 1%. Safety. CIR confirmed safety in rinse-off formats and in pH-neutral formulas. Concentrated, it is strongly alkaline and only handled by manufacturers. After neutralisation – safe, non-irritating, non-comedogenic. Pregnancy and lactation – safe in finished formulas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sodium Silicate safe during pregnancy?
Sodium Silicate is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Sodium Silicate for?
Sodium Silicate suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Sodium Silicate and what does it do in cosmetics?
Soluble silicate salt.
What's the INCI name for Sodium Silicate?
The INCI name is Sodium Silicate. It may also appear as: Water Glass.
See Sodium Silicate in a product composition right on the store page
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
Similar role in the formula
Other functional ingredients
Sodium Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Sulfate, Beta-Caryophyllene, Dihydroxyacetone, Menthoxypropanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
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