Harvested from dried lakes and seas, diatomaceous earth is a completely natural substance that has been used for nearly a century, initially as an insecticide by Asian populations. It then made its way into Western households keen to adopt more eco-friendly home maintenance solutions. The diatomaceous earth powder used in cosmetics is purified, calcined and generally ground before being incorporated into skincare formulas.
Diatomaceous earth, the virtues of this natural ingredient on the skin.
Summary
Published on June 20, 2024, by Maylis, Chemical Engineer — 3 min of reading
What is diatomaceous earth?
Diatomaceous earth presents itself as a white powder. This active ingredient of 100% natural origin comes from fossilised residues of diatoms that have disintegrated. Diatoms are unicellular algae covered with a mineral skeleton made up of two intertwined layers of silica. After the death of the algae, a mud/clay mixture forms which fossilises and subsequently produces diatomaceous earth powder.
Diatoms are found in both fresh, salt, and brackish waters; today, we have identified approximately 10,000 varieties.
In various facial and full-body skincare treatments, diatomaceous earth is valued for its cleansing and exfoliating properties. In food, it is highly regarded due to the essential trace elements it contains, such as magnesium, copper, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, and selenium.
What are the benefits of diatomaceous earth on the skin?
After purification, calcination and grinding, diatomaceous earth offers multiple benefits to the skin. Here are a few examples:
Cleansing: It rids the skin of toxins, dust and other impurities that have settled on the surface.
Exfoliant: Thanks to its minute angular particles, it eliminates corneocytes, dead cells accumulated on the skin's surface that can dull it and/or clog the pores, leading to the formation of blackheads;
Absorbent : Due to its microporous structure, diatomaceous earth powder is a drying agent that can absorb up to its own weight in moisture. Because of this property, it is frequently used in natural deodorants and also purifying face masks. It helps to absorb excess sebum and cleanse the skin.
Furthermore, this powder is chemically inert. It does not react with other compounds present in cosmetic formulas, making its incorporation into numerous galenic forms easier. It can also be added to both acidic and basic formulas, as it is not sensitive to pH.
Diatomaceous powder, a key ingredient in Typology deodorants.
Our two deodorants contain 98% naturally sourced ingredients. They are formulated without aluminium, alcohol, and talc. They reduce the bacteria responsible for odours to provide a fresh sensation thanks to their various fragrances: bergamot - green mandarin and rose - vanilla. In addition to diatomaceous earth, they also contain sodium bicarbonate. This powder also has naturally absorbent properties, as well as an odour-neutralising action.
