Amended Safety Assessment of Synthetically Manufactured Amorphous Silica and Hydrated Silica as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of synthetically manufactured amorphous Silica and Hydrated Silica. The Panel considered the method of manufacture of these ingredients to be of significant importance when reviewing safety. Thus, the current assessment is exclusive to amorphous Silica and Hydrated Silica when manufactured via synthetic methods. Both of these ingredients are reported to function as abrasives, absorbents, anticaking agents, bulking agents, and opacifying agents in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data, including frequency and concentration of uses. The Panel concluded that synthetically manufactured amorphous Silica and Hydrated Silica are safe in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-irritating.