EWG 4-5

Data: Good

Silver

This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products intended for use around the eyes due to increased risk of absorption.

Unacceptable: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient

Occupational hazards

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CONCERN REFERENCE

Allowed workplace exposures restricted to very low doses National Library of Medicine HazMap

Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses National Library of Medicine HazMap

Enhanced skin absorption

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CONCERN REFERENCE

Suspected nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin Nanomaterial Database

Use restrictions

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CONCERN REFERENCE

Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Color additive not approved by FDA for cosmetics used around eyes FDA Color Additive Status

Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics Canada - Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetics Ingredients

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE

Classified as medium human health priority Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity Scorecard.org Toxicity Information

One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs

PROS

CONS

SYNONYMS

● AG

● CI 77820

● SILVER

● SILVER, DISSOLVED

● SILVER, TOTAL

Creams containing silver residues were used by historic royal kingdoms, to effectively treat infections, acne, signs of ageing, owing to its antimicrobial characteristics, repair skin injuries thanks to the wound-healing attributes and thereby attain gorgeous glowing skin. Moreover, the inherent cooling nature of silver is highly advantageous for pacifying itching, redness and many other discomforting signs that invariably tend to occur in a host of skin woes. Nowadays, the metal is primarily incorporated into moisturizers, serums, eye masks, facial kits and body soaps, in the form of colloidal silver i.e. small silver pieces suspended in water, which is biocompatible and safe for use on the skin. Colloidal silver is generally in a very minuscule size of nanoparticles and integrated into skincare products in the purest state.

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Read on, to discover the astonishing benefits of silver in skincare products for healthy youthful blemish-free skin.

Brilliant Beauty Incentives Of Silver For Soft Clear Skin:

Treats Acne And Pimples

Bestowed with brilliant anti-inflammatory qualities, face washes and body soaps containing silver derivatives significantly reduce swelling and reddening on the areas of skin affected by different types of acne breakouts - blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and zits. In addition, the emollient and calming properties of silver lock in moisture, mollify agitated portions on the skin, besides controlling sebum/oil secretions and tightening pores.

Reverses The Age Clock

Colloidal silver is imbued with antioxidant features that eliminate harmful free radicals and toxins from the surface of the skin. In this manner, all signs of ageing including creases, fine lines, wrinkles gradually fade away. Using eye masks, facial kits infused with metallic silver extracts are effective in banishing dark circles, furrows and folds, to supply tremendous anti-ageing benefits and reveal bright, younger-looking skin.

Mends Tissue Injuries

Silver, famed for its antibacterial and wound-healing properties since time immemorial, is widely utilised as a topical therapeutic aid to treat various forms of skin damage. Furthermore, its potent antioxidant qualities shield the skin from undergoing extensive cellular DNA damage. Applying some lotions or gels infused with silver extracts accelerates tissue repair processes and helps to subdue blisters, ulcers, burns, sores and boils on the skin.

Stimulates Collagen Synthesis

Colloidal silver confers excellent merits for vanquishing dry, dull, lifeless skin and bequeathing a smooth, luminous, crystal clear complexion, by bolstering the production of collagen protein by the dermal cells. Collagen is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity by enabling smooth cell turnover and replenishing the skin’s surface with a new layer of cells. Dabbing on a bit of serum comprising silver residues works wonders in revitalising skin texture, eliminating sagging, lacklustre, drooping regions, to deliver hydrated, plump, soft skin.

Also Read: Collagen: The Protein Behind Healthy Skin And Joints

Remedies Skin Infections

Blessed with the goodness of antimicrobial agents, as well as natural conditioning qualities, colloidal silver is very beneficial in suppressing irritation and inflammation in skin infections and chronic conditions of rosacea, eczema. Applying a uniform layer of moisturiser containing silver residues onto aggravated skin after cleansing and patting dry quells peeling, dryness, flaking, provides intense hydration and nourishes the skin.

Nanotechnology has been introduced in the cosmeceutical market in the early 1980 s, with reference to the term ‘nanocosmeceutical’. As the competition in the cosmeceutical market continue to grow immensely, new cosmetic formulations have emerged and manufacturers are constantly improvising to deliver products with higher efficacy. The cosmetic field is one of the early adopters of nanotechnology as its role significantly contributes to superior cosmetic effects from improved skin penetration and stability as well as effective release of ingredients through the skin barrier. Nanotechnology is widely incorporated in the production of various cosmeceutical line such as sunscreens, nail care, lip care, face cleansers, hair repair shampoos, mosturizing and whitening creams as well as anti-aging products (Lohani et al., 2014). The two common types of engineered nanomaterials are titanium oxide and zinc oxide. However, other nanosized materials such as gold and silver metals, metal oxides, liposomes, nanocapsules, cubosomes, dendrimers, niosomes, nanocrystals and solid lipid nanoparticles have begun to be used in cosmetic applications (Cao et al., 2016).

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most widely researched metallic nanoparticles as they are industrialized for multiple purposes. As stated by Pirtarighat et al. (2019), the strong inhibitory effect of AgNPs on a large spectrum of microbial species is one of their most highly regarded property. As a result, AgNPs received much attention not just in the pharmaceutical industry as a potential substitute for antibiotics but also in the textile industry particularly water filtration (Haider and Kang, 2015, Pirtarighat et al., 2019). Furthermore, AgNPs possess impressive anti-inflammatory effect which is vital in woung healing and medical applications. With those critically acclaimed therapeutic effects, AgNPs are exploited for the formulation of skin cleansers, lotions, creams, deodorants, shampoos and toothpastes (seen in Table 1) (Gajbhiye and Sakharwade, 2016). Besides its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, AgNPs are proven to have anti-cancer properties as reported on human cell lines as well as animal models whereby AgNPs could inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis (Jeong et al., 2016, Yang et al., 2016).

Roles of silver nanoparticles in cosmetic products

3.1. Antibacterial

3.2. Anti-inflammatory

3.3. Other roles of silver nanoparticles in cosmetic

One of the new strategies which may have great potential in the cosmeceuticals is the incorporation of nanoparticles having antifungal activity (silver and metal oxide nanoparticles) in nail polish to treat fungal toenail infections (Lohani et al., 2014). The use of nanoparticles like silver as cosmetic pigment has been patented whereby it is stated that AgNPs in combination of gold nanoparticles provide yellow–red pigment in the manufacturing of diverse cosmetic products such as foundations, eye shadows, powders, lipsticks, inks, varnishes or eyebrow pencils (Ha et al., 2005, Pulit-Prociak and Banach, 2016).

3.4. Skin penetration of silver nanoparticles

Skin serves as the main exposure to nanoparticles especially when incorporated into topical applications in cosmectic products. However, the skin itself act as a barrier against foreign objects through its layers known as the stratum corneum (the horny layer), the dermis and the subcutaneous wherein the stratum corneum has the highest barrier function. Theoretically, the smaller the size of the particles, the higher the rate of penetration (Yokota and Kyotani, 2018). Cardoso et al. (2017) demonstrated that a higher amount of smaller sized AgNPs were able to penetrate through the skin on the back of a pig’s ear as compared to silver nitrate (AgNO3) due to its larger size.

3.5. Cellular and toxicity effects of silver nanoparticles

To summarise the above, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are undoubtedly critical and valuable addition to the cosmeceutical industry due to their advantageous, therapeutic attributes. With that said, AgNPs contribute enormously to the emergence of new and diverse formulations in the cosmetic line that could prevent or treat prevalent skin diseases, heal damaged skin and subsequently preserve overall skin health and quality for long-term.

The efficiency of these nanoparticles to deliver their beneficial effects are influenced by their physical and chemical properties which in turn, are affected during the synthesis of these particles. It is undeniable that research and literature review on the toxicity of AgNPs are limited and therefore the exact concentration of AgNPs that is safe for human is still not established as results obtained and presented by different studies showed dual effects of AgNPs. Hence, further studies must be conducted to interpret comprehensively on the toxicity aspects of AgNPs to ensure safe use in the cosmeceutical field. The understanding on the mechanism of actions possessed by the particles will provide an opportunity for cosmetic manufacturers to venture into different and versatile applications for their inventions.

7440-22-4; Ag; Silver; Colloidal Silver; Argentum; Silver, Colloidal; Silver Metal; Silber; ...

Compound CID: 23954

MF: Ag MW: 107.868g/mol

IUPAC Name: silver

Isomeric SMILES: [Ag]

InChIKey: BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI: InChI=1S/Ag

Create Date: 2004-09-16