FOOT SENSE Ingredient Highlight: Silica Dioxide

Many of us think of Silica as a filler. It’s in those tiny bags that sit at the bottom of new purses or in shoe boxes to help keep leather and other materials fresh. It’s found in countless ingredient lists for everything from food and supplements, to cosmetics, to commercial building materials. It’s had some great PR, some bad PR, misinformation, and groundbreaking scientific discoveries. It’s also found in the  FOOT SENSE ingredient list as Silica Dioxide. That’s why we’re giving you a quick rundown of silica uses, qualities, and dangers so you can decide on its value for yourself. 

The Basics of Silica Dioxide

Silica is an odorless, white, chemical compound, a mineral, made from two of the most common and abundant earthly elements, silicon (Si) and oxygen (O2). In fact, it makes up 59% of Earth’s crust. It’s a common component in sand and is naturally found in sandstone, clay, and granite. It’s also a major part of plants and animals, including us. In fact, silica is such an important part of our bodies and nutrition that when silica is withheld from normal nutrition, gross abnormalities develop.  

Pros and Cons

There are two forms of silica that are often confused. Crystalline Silica is linked to a variety of health hazards. It has been documented as a cause of cancer, organ system toxicity, and it’s a respiratory, musculoskeletal, and immune system toxin. Silica Dioxide is FDA approved for use as an anti-caking agent. For that reason, it’s often used in food and cosmetics. It is also part of the list of agents that are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as an anti-foaming agent in food. Silica is non-carcinogenic and is often used in nutritional supplements. Luckily,  FOOT SENSE contains Silica dioxide, the safe version of silica!

Silica as a Safe, Effective Ingredient in  FOOT SENSE 

Silica is incredibly versatile. Even though it has many uses, silica is utilized in  FOOT SENSE  for the benefits it poses in the cosmetic and skincare industries. 

• It is used as an abrasive, which can help exfoliate skin. This is important when preventing foot odor because feet need to be fresh, and free of organic debris to keep bacteria that feed on dead skin from making a home. 
• Silica is an anti-caking and bulking agent. It’s used to suspend and bind all the ingredients together. That means our powerful formula is easy to apply and won’t ball or stick to socks. Instead, you’ll experience a light, silky texture. 
• Perhaps most often than the other uses listed, silica is highly absorbent. It’s molecular shape actually lends itself to this purpose. So, as sweat builds up, the spherical particles will keep moisture away from the skin and will prevent odor. 
• Silica is also commonly used in skincare treatments because it is a component of collagen – the building blocks of skin. It helps to speed the healing process of burned, wounds, and scar tissue. Many of us might have dry, cracked feet or blisters. It’s especially common to have micro-cuts on our feet during sandal and flip-flop season.  FOOT SENSE can be applied year-round to prevent foot odor. Accelerated healing is a happy side-effect.