Silica Gel

[lillybella]

Hi,
I would like to use Silica Gel in my sugar scrubs. Do I need to buy a special type & where do I buy it?

Thanks,

Lily

 

[Dorymae]

I am curious, why silica gel? Does it add some benefit to the scrub that I am unaware of? I have not heard of it being used in scrubs.

Since it holds water wouldn't it dry up your scrubs? Are you making emulsified scrubs or an oil base?

 

[lillybella]

Hi DoryMae,
I read that it gels the oils; so that a thick sugar gel is used on the skin. It is a lot less messy to use & ship.

http://www.ingredientstodiefor.com/item/Body_Polish_non_leaking_/320/

They aren't shipping until the 16th.

 

[Dorymae]

After reading the article I see that they sell the kind you need and do tell you the type you need. In this case, I would buy it from them at first so that in the future I could distinguish whether I was buying the proper product.

http://www.ingredientstodiefor.com/item/Silica_Gel/90/

 

[lillybella]

Yes I agree. I did purchase from them but I am eager to start & it will not be shipped until the 16th!

I CAN'T WAIT! lol

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Just for some reading about the after affects of using things that need a while to degrade - http://beatthemicrobead.org/en/

I know I am usually one of the first to laugh at people wanting "organic" and "natural" ingredients, but that is just about the stuff on the skin. When it comes to things that will go on to have an impact on our world, I prefer to leave no footprint

 

[lillybella]

Thank you, The Efficacious Gentleman.
I agree but this type of silica gel is not microbeads or am I wrong?

I will read this.

 

[Dorymae]

I agree with the micro beads but silica gel is not plastic. I am not sure about how it degrades and I could be wrong... but I believe silica gel becomes like gelatin when wet and drys up to a powder when dry. Somehow I think I do more harm with my Styrofoam coffee cup from the gas station. As I said I could be wrong and I would appreciate some more knowledge regarding silica.

I don't use silica now but when that experiment bug bites again. . . well that is usually what will lead to me changing a formula, when I change them at all.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

It's not microbeads, but it also won't break down.

Having read more, if the grains are that small that it shouldn't matter too much

ETA reading more it is a mineral based product - if it is basically sand-like, there is plenty of that in the sea as it is

 

[lillybella]

I would like to know too, DoryMae.

Time for more research & testing!