An inorganic magnesium aluminium silicate used as an absorbent and bulking ingredient.
What it is
Magnesium aluminometasilicate is an inorganic compound consisting, according to CosIng, of varying amounts of magnesium oxide, aluminium oxide and silica. It is a white powder. CosIng lists it as an absorbent, anticaking, bulking, opacifying and viscosity-controlling ingredient.
Where it is used
Found in a small number of products, such as powders, makeup and masks.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The INCI name does not show the exact proportions of magnesium, aluminium and silica.
Functions
- Absorbent
- Taking up water- and/or oil-soluble (dissolved or finely dispersed) substances.
- Anticaking
- Preventing agglomeration of particulate solids into lumps or hard masses (cohesive cake), thus allowing free flow of particles.
- Bulking
- Non-reactive (chemically inert), solid ingredients that dilute other solids and/or increase the volume of cosmetic products.
- Opacifying
- Reducing transparency or translucency of cosmetics.
- Viscosity controlling
- Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.