BUTTER-C
Signature ingredients
Silica mattifying moisturizer OEM/ODM manufacturing
Silica Mattifying Moisturizer · Signature Ingredients · OEM/ODM
Silica (INCI: Silica) in cosmetics is synthetically manufactured amorphous silicon dioxide — a very light, porous white powder found in a great many face powders, primers and foundations. In a moisturizer it does a purely physical job: it absorbs some of the oil on the skin surface and gives a slippy, dry-touch feel, so the layer looks less shiny. Silica does not change how much sebum the skin produces, and human data on “mattifying” are scarce: in a double-blind comparison on 20 people, a commonly used commercial silica at 1% in the same cream base absorbed oil only weakly in the first half hour. So the word “mattifying” in the product name describes the feel, and the phrase “reduces the look of shine” is used only after measurement on the finished product itself. On safety, cosmetic silica is the amorphous form, unlike crystalline silica (quartz), an occupational dust hazard; in 2025 the US CIR Expert Panel concluded that synthetic amorphous silica is safe in present practices of use when formulated to be non-irritating. Butter-C’s silica moisturizer is a light gel-cream for oily and combination skin: raw material with a COA confirming the amorphous form, a humectant base balanced against silica’s moisture-absorbing nature, and shine and flash white cast checked on samples. Butter-C offers full-service OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development and testing to labeled finished product with its notification dossier.
Formula base
Silica in a light gel-cream base, balanced with humectants
The general moisturizer page covers the three ingredient groups of a cream; the primer page uses spherical silica as one of several smoothing powders. This page makes silica the signature ingredient of an untinted moisturizer for oily skin.
Silica — the signature ingredient
INCI Silica: synthetic amorphous SiO2. CAS 7631-86-9 is shared by every form of silica, crystalline included, so the CAS number alone does not tell you which form the material is — the COA must confirm it is amorphous. The 2018 industry survey compiled by CIR lists silica at up to 82% in face and neck products — a level seen, not a recommendation; in a moisturizer the level is set by the dry-touch feel, measured shine and white cast under flash (formulation experience).
Three silica INCIs, three roles
Silica (usually pyrogenic or spherical) absorbs oil, prevents caking and mattifies; Hydrated Silica (wet process) is mainly the abrasive in toothpaste; Silica Dimethyl Silylate is pyrogenic silica with a hydrophobic surface modification, used to thicken oils and silicones. Silica is not silicone: dimethicone is an organosilicon polymer, while silica is an inorganic oxide.
Hydration so skin does not dry out
Glycerin, Propanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate. Data from heavily exposed workers show silica absorbs moisture and removes skin lipids, causing dry skin (CIR), so a cream with a high silica level still needs enough humectant; this group is the basis for a moisturizing claim.
Emulsifiers, emollients and preservation
A low-oil oil-in-water emulsion: Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride or C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate for a light feel; Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate and Cetearyl Alcohol emulsify and build structure; Xanthan Gum stabilizes. Phenoxyethanol (maximum 1% — Annex VI) with Ethylhexylglycerin; the preservative system is confirmed by an ISO 11930 challenge test on the formula with powder.
Key technical points
Four points specific to putting silica into a moisturizer
The issues below come from the silica powder itself: the right material form, how it is dispersed, its optical effect and safety in the plant.
The right form: amorphous, free of crystalline silica
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies crystalline silica as carcinogenic to humans (quartz and cristobalite dust — occupational exposure); amorphous silica is not classifiable (Guha et al., 2011). Intentionally manufactured synthetic amorphous silica is free of crystalline silica contamination (Merget et al., 2002). Butter-C requires a COA stating the INCI, manufacturing route (pyrogenic, precipitated, surface-modified), amorphous form confirmed by X-ray diffraction, particle size and heavy metals.
Choosing the grade and dispersing it
Fine spherical grades give a ball-bearing slip; coarse grades meant as powder carriers do not suit a face cream because they feel gritty. Silica is dispersed into the oil phase or added at the end and homogenized until no particles remain; oil-absorbing powder thickens the cream, so viscosity is fixed on the complete formula. Silica Dimethyl Silylate (if used to thicken the oil phase) needs high shear; water and strongly polar ingredients weaken its thickening network.
White cast under camera flash
On the forearms of 8 volunteers, of four powders tested only silica left a measurable white cast when photographed with flash (Bamford et al., 2021; the authors work for a company developing another oil-absorbing powder). Users of “dry-touch” products often take photos, so Butter-C photographs samples with flash and adjusts the silica level before sign-off.
Dust in the plant and product format
CIR 2025 determined that amorphous silica does not pose an incidental inhalation risk under conditions of cosmetic use. The practical risk is in weighing and sieving powder: local dust extraction and dust masks. This page covers leave-on creams only — no sprays or loose powders (for Silica Dimethyl Silylate, CIR 2013 sets the condition that the finished product must not be irritating or sensitizing to the respiratory tract).
Three formulation directions
Three silica creams for three customer groups
Dry-touch silica gel-cream
A low-oil emulsion on a Xanthan Gum framework, spherical silica, glycerin, panthenol; absorbs quickly with a light dry-touch finish. For oily skin in hot, humid climates, used in the morning before sunscreen.
Silica – niacinamide cream for oily skin
Adds 2% niacinamide — the level of the human sebum trial cited on the niacinamide & zinc serum page. Silica gives an instant dry feel; the phrase “helps reduce the look of shine” is still used only after measurement on the finished product itself, as a claim of the whole formula.
Smooth-finish moisturizer with dimethicone
Dimethicone in the oil phase with silica gives a silky surface, close to an untinted primer; Silica Dimethyl Silylate can thicken the oil phase and keep powder from settling. For people who want one care step before makeup. Checked for pilling when layered with sunscreen and foundation.
Packaging is part of the formula
Tubes or pump bottles are hygienic and limit surface drying; jars need a tight inner lid. A cream with powder must be thick enough that the powder does not settle — checked across stability points in the real packaging.
Parameters we monitor
What our R&D lab measures on each sample
These are the parameters Butter-C monitors during formula development and scale-up. Specific limits are agreed with you on the approved sample and then written into the product’s in-house specification.
- Raw material COA
- Silica per batch: INCI, manufacturing route, amorphous form confirmed (X-ray diffraction), particle size, heavy metals; for EU export, the supplier’s statement on whether the material is a nanomaterial.
- Appearance & smoothness
- Color, odor and smoothness against the reference sample; no grit, no pilling when spread or layered.
- pH
- Measured on the sample at 25 °C; pH drift tracked across stability points.
- Viscosity
- Rotational viscometer with spindle and speed recorded; oil-absorbing powder changes thickness, so values are compared before and after aging.
- Stability
- Accelerated aging at 40 °C, freeze–thaw cycling, centrifugation; watch for separation, settled powder, oil bleeding and odor change in the real packaging.
- Shine on skin
- Measured with a glossmeter or sebumeter on volunteers at set time points — the basis for any statement about shine.
- Flash photography
- Photos with and without flash on skin where the cream was applied to check for white cast before the silica level is fixed.
- Microbiology & challenge test
- Finished product tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy (challenge) test to ISO 11930 on the formula with powder.
- Tolerance on volunteers
- Irritation and tolerance testing on volunteers before sign-off — CIR’s safety conclusion comes with the condition of being formulated to be non-irritating.
Claims
Claims within the cosmetic scope
A PubMed search (10/2026) found no clinical trial using silica alone as the main active for oil control on skin. Related data measured on skin: a double-blind comparison on 20 healthy volunteers, the same cream base containing 1% of different silicas, sebum measured on the forehead over 4 hours — according to the full text, the commercial cosmetic silica absorbed oil only weakly in the first 0.5 hours (relative sebum change 13.7%), less than the porous nano silica particles newly made by the authors (Yuan et al., 2026; some authors are company-affiliated; the new particle is an experimental material); and gloss measurements of neat powders on the foreheads of at least 10 people, where the authors’ own powder gave a higher instant mattifying effect than the comparison powders except kaolin (Bamford et al., 2021). Silica only absorbs surface oil, temporarily — limited evidence. Annex 03-MP of Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT suggests the wording “Reduces shine for oily skin” and “Makes your skin feel less oily”. Below is the wording Butter-C recommends.
Helps reduce the look of shine, skin feels less oily (only after measurement on the finished product)
Used once gloss or sebum has been measured on the finished product itself; hours stated only at the time points measured. Instead of: all-day oil control, 12-hour oil control, reduces sebum production, regulates sebaceous glands.
Skin surface looks smoother, a light dry-touch finish
An instant optical and sensory effect, used once a sensory evaluation has been run on the finished product. Instead of: tightens pores, erases wrinkles, fills wrinkles.
Moisturizes, helps soften skin
A function of the humectant base (glycerin, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate); hydration figures only when measured on the finished product. Instead of: restores skin, regenerates skin.
Contains silica (Silica) — correct INCI
Silica is an amorphous mineral powder, not a silicone. EU export: “[nano]” after the ingredient name if the supplier confirms it is a nanomaterial. Instead of: trade names of the raw material, calling silica “silicone”, implying cosmetic silica and crystalline silica are the same.
Suitable for oily and combination skin
Describes skin type, not an effect on acne or the sebaceous glands. Instead of: drug-like claims about acne, “reduces breakouts”, “non-comedogenic” without testing on the finished product.
Label reminders
“Patch test on a small area before use. Avoid contact with eyes. Stop use if skin becomes red or stings.” Dry skin should use just enough. Pregnancy or breastfeeding: not enough data for use on skin — the consultation advises asking a doctor. This page is a facial cream for adults. Instead of: non-irritating, safe in pregnancy, suitable for children.
Manufacturing specifications
Current capabilities
- Texture
- Milky gel-cream or light cream; light dry-touch finish after spreading; colorless.
- Format
- Tubes, pump bottles or jars with an inner lid. Volume agreed when choosing packaging.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order — depends on formula direction and chosen format.
- Testing
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; certificate of analysis delivered with each batch.
- Dossier
- Product Information File (PIF) and cosmetic product notification prepared by Butter-C, with the silica COA confirming the amorphous form.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formulation; the patch-test and avoid-the-eyes reminders are laid out from the first label draft.
Suggested product concept
Fragrance-free dry-touch silica gel-cream for oily and combination skin
One product direction to help you picture it — not a ready-made product for sale. The actual formula is built around your brand’s positioning and price point.
Silica 2%
Cosmetic-grade spherical silica, COA confirming the amorphous form; the level is formulation experience, fixed after gloss measurement and flash photos on samples.
Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectants balanced against silica’s moisture absorption — the basis for a moisturizing claim after testing on the finished product.
Squalane, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Olivate
Low oil, quick to absorb; Phenoxyethanol – Ethylhexylglycerin system; fragrance-free.
50 ml tube
Used in the morning after cleansing, before sunscreen; label carries patch-test and avoid-the-eyes reminders.
Customization options
What you can specify
The same product type serves different customers for each brand. Tell us your requirements in the areas below and our pharmacists will build the matching formula.
Degree of mattness and silica level
Lightly dry or clearly matte — adjusted through the silica and oil levels, weighed against white cast under flash and a dry feel.
Texture
Gel-cream, light cream, or a cream with dimethicone for a silky surface before makeup.
Supporting ingredients
Niacinamide, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate — chosen by target skin type and tested for compatibility on samples.
If you want a shine claim
Requires gloss or sebum measurement on the finished product itself at set time points; the cost of volunteer testing is quoted separately.
EU export
The supplier confirms whether the silica grade is a nanomaterial — “not nano” is not inferred from agglomerate size alone: a study funded by a consortium of silica producers states that synthetic amorphous silica for cosmetic use is a nanomaterial under the EU Recommendation, on the basis of its internal structure (Bosch et al., 2024). If it is nano, “[nano]” goes on the label and the product is notified in advance under EU rules. The SCCS (2015) found the data insufficient to conclude on nano silica; the European Commission requested a new assessment on 30 October 2025.
Ingredient positioning
Fragrance-free, silicone-free, vegan — please state these at the start so suitable raw materials can be chosen.
Further reading
Related knowledge
Amorphous silica in cosmetics
Surface oil absorption, limited evidence, the difference from crystalline silica, CIR, SCCS on nano and ASEAN (in Vietnamese).
Moisturizer manufacturing
General page: the three ingredient groups of a cream and choosing texture by skin type.
Skincare primer manufacturing
Spherical silica as one of the smoothing powders used before makeup.
Kaolin clay mask manufacturing
Another oil-absorbing mineral powder, in a wash-off product, with equally measured claims.
Oily skin and enlarged pores
Why oil-absorbing powders act only on the surface, for a few hours (in Vietnamese).
Hydrated silica in cosmetics
The silica used in toothpaste — a different INCI and a different role (in Vietnamese).
How we work
From idea to finished batch
Eight steps and three milestones signed off by both sides: approved sample, notification number, finished batch. Step-by-step details →
Get started
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