Hands up if you’ve ever heard of silica? Well, it’s completely alright if you have not. While it could be under-discovered, silica is a mineral that you should absolutely be looking for.
Let me give you a heads up on the rationale why you should be looking for silica for better skin health.
| What’s Silica | Silica is a natural occurring mineral that has many health benefits. In fact, silica is the third most abundant element in the body, after iron and zinc⁽¹⁾. Did you know that silica exists naturally in the human body? We’re born with high silica level. But as time passed by, its concentration decreases as we age⁽²⁾. That’s why it’s so essential for us to replenish it from time to time, especially when it’s all concerning about your skin benefits. |
| The Relationship Between Silica and Skin | Silica acts as natural collagen activator, which helps to promote collagen production. Over the years, studies have shown that silica helps to keep the skin hydrated, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve elasticity⁽³¯⁵⁾. Additionally, it can help to reduce inflammation and protect the skin from sun damage⁽⁶⁾. Because of its many benefits for the skin, silica is becoming increasingly popular as an ingredient in skincare products such as lotions, moisturizers, and serum. Silica is used in the formulation of these products for the purposes of keeping the skin looking young and healthy. |
| How Does Silica Mineral Boost Your Skin Health | So, the question, how silica works? Silica stimulates fibroblasts which releases collagen type 1 - the type that minimises fine lines in youthful skin⁽⁷⁾. Too technical? Oh yes, to simplify it, silica acts as a bridge to connect the collagen fibres to further stabilize its structure, giving the skin better strength and flexibility, and improvement in skin elasticity⁽⁴⁾. |
| Sources of Silica | By now you should know the great benefits of silica to skin health, I believe you can’t wait to include it in your daily routine. Other than silica supplements and silica-enriched skincare products, do you know that you can get silica naturally by including silica-rich foods or drinks in your diet, to ensure that your skin stays healthy and hydrated? Food sources:
However, not all sources of silica are equal when it comes to providing the best benefits for your skin, especially the content and bioavailability. Generally, the silica content in plant sources is lower as compared to those in liquid form for example water which has higher content and better bioavailability⁽³⁾. |
| Is it Safe? | While there is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of silica in Malaysia, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggests no more than 700 milligrams a day – far above the 20 to 50 milligrams that the average person consumes in a day⁽⁸⁾. |
| How to Incorporate Silica Mineral into Your Diet and Lifestyle | How to make it easy to incorporate into your diet for an extra boost of skin-friendly nutrient. Health tips:
Let’s experience the amazing benefits of silica today for healthy, beautiful skin! |
By discovering silica’s potential health benefits to the skin, you can take a step towards improving your own skin health today.
Article contributed by,
Dr Meera Kuppusamy
Consultant Dermatologist, Columbia Asia Hospital – Klang
Reference
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