PERLITE
Perlite is a volcanic mineral material made from siliceous glass. The name may appear as perlite on international labels. It is not an oil, plant extract, or treatment active: it is an inert mineral material composed chiefly of silicon, aluminium, sodium, and potassium oxides.
PERLITE: what it is
Perlite is a volcanic mineral material made from siliceous glass. The name may appear as perlite on international labels. It is not an oil, plant extract, or treatment active: it is an inert mineral material composed chiefly of silicon, aluminium, sodium, and potassium oxides.
A defining feature of perlite is what heat does to it. The volcanic glass contains water within its structure and can expand rapidly when heated, producing a much lighter, porous material. That origin distinguishes perlite from similarly named cosmetic ingredients with a different nature, such as pigments, clays, or organic particles.
PERLITE: what it does in cosmetics
In cosmetics, perlite can be used as an absorbent and as a bulking agent. As an absorbent, it takes up finely dispersed substances; in practice, this property can be useful in powder systems and other formulas built around very small particles.
As a bulking agent, expanded perlite can increase a preparation's volume without adding the same weight as a compact mineral. This can contribute to a product's structure and density, especially where a lightweight mineral load is wanted. Those functions do not, on their own, demonstrate a treatment effect for skin or hair.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
