Silica
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Silica (Orthosilicic Acid / Choline-stabilised Orthosilicic Acid (ch-OSA)) is a dietary supplement with 6 published peer-reviewed studies involving 186 participants, researched for Hair & Nail Health, Bone Health, Skin Elasticity & Collagen Synthesis.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Hair & Nail Health
ModerateBone Health
ModerateSkin Elasticity & Collagen Synthesis
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Hair & Nail Health
To evaluate the effect of oral choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA) on skin, nails, and hair in women with photodamaged skin.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of oral choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA) on skin, nails, and hair in women with photodamaged skin.
Dose
10 mg/day ch-OSA
Participants
50 women with photodamaged skin
Duration
20 weeks
Results
ch-OSA produced significant positive effects on skin surface and mechanical properties, and significant reductions in hair and nail brittleness vs placebo. Silicon stimulated collagen biosynthesis, evidenced by improved dermal elasticity.
How They Measured It
Skin surface (Sebutape), skin mechanical properties (Cutometer), hair brittleness (tensile tester), nail brittleness
To review the use of silicon for skin and hair care, evaluating chemical forms and efficacy.
Study Type
Review article
Purpose
To review the use of silicon for skin and hair care, evaluating chemical forms and efficacy.
Dose
Various oral silicon forms
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Higher blood silicon concentrations associate with improved outcomes in skin ageing, hair fragility, and nail brittleness. Orthosilicic acid is the most bioavailable form. ch-OSA showed the strongest clinical evidence for hair and nail benefit.
How They Measured It
Literature review of silicon bioavailability and clinical outcomes
To investigate anti-ageing effects of monomethylsilanetriol and maltodextrin-stabilised orthosilicic acid on nails, skin, and hair.
Study Type
Clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate anti-ageing effects of monomethylsilanetriol and maltodextrin-stabilised orthosilicic acid on nails, skin, and hair.
Dose
Oral silicon supplement (20–30 mg/day silicon equivalent)
Participants
Healthy volunteers
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Silica supplementation improved nail growth and strength, hair tensile properties, and skin hydration. Silicon was shown to stimulate collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in skin fibroblasts.
How They Measured It
Nail growth rate, hair tensile strength, skin hydration
Bone Health
To assess whether ch-OSA supplementation stimulates bone formation markers in osteopenic females.
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess whether ch-OSA supplementation stimulates bone formation markers in osteopenic females.
Dose
6 mg/day ch-OSA
Participants
136 women with osteopenia
Duration
12 months
Results
ch-OSA significantly increased serum PINP (bone formation) and reduced CTX-I (bone resorption) vs placebo receiving calcium/D3 alone. Silicon appears to stimulate type I collagen metabolism in bone.
How They Measured It
Serum PINP (bone formation), serum CTX-I (bone resorption), urinary hydroxyproline
To review the potential role of silicon in prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the potential role of silicon in prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Silicon plays a key role in bone mineralisation and type I collagen synthesis. Higher dietary silicon intake is associated with greater bone mineral density. Orthosilicic acid is the most promising supplemental form.
How They Measured It
Review of dietary silicon intake studies, bioavailability studies, and bone health RCTs
Skin Elasticity & Collagen Synthesis
To investigate silicon's role in stimulating collagen synthesis and skin mechanical properties.
Study Type
In vitro and clinical review
Purpose
To investigate silicon's role in stimulating collagen synthesis and skin mechanical properties.
Dose
10 mg/day ch-OSA
Participants
In vitro + clinical review
Duration
Various
Results
Orthosilicic acid significantly stimulated type I collagen synthesis in fibroblasts. Clinical trials confirmed improved skin surface quality, reduced skin roughness, and improved mechanical properties in women supplementing with ch-OSA.
How They Measured It
Fibroblast collagen production assay, clinical skin assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Silica research
There are currently 6 peer-reviewed studies on Silica (Orthosilicic Acid / Choline-stabilised Orthosilicic Acid (ch-OSA)), involving 186 total participants. Research covers Hair strength & brittleness, Nail strength, Skin elasticity and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (4 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Silica has been researched for: Hair strength & brittleness, Nail strength, Skin elasticity, Bone health & collagen synthesis. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 4 out of 6 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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