Colloidal Silver in Personal Care: Benefits of Silver for Hygiene and the Use of Silver

Colloidal silver is a suspension of tiny silver particles in a liquid, typically water. These silver particles are extremely small, allowing them to remain dispersed throughout the liquid. The concentration of these particles determines the strength of the colloidal silver solution. Products containing silver can be found in different forms, such as liquids, gels, or creams, and are positioned for external use in hygiene and skin care. Some products are marketed as dietary supplements, although their efficacy and safety remain debated and are not supported by current regulatory approvals. The use of silver in hygiene has been referenced for centuries, though its regulatory status today is limited to cosmetics and medical devices.

Understanding Colloidal Silver

What is Colloidal Silver?

Colloidal silver is a suspension of tiny silver particles in a liquid, typically water. These silver particles, often described as silver nanoparticles, are extremely small, allowing them to remain dispersed throughout the liquid. The concentration of these silver nanoparticles determines the strength of the colloidal silver solution. Colloidal silver products are available in various forms, including liquids, gels, and creams, designed for personal hygiene and cosmetic use. Some view it as a dietary supplement, although its efficacy and safety are subjects of ongoing discussion. It is important to note that ingestion of colloidal silver or silver salts raises concerns due to potential toxicity of silver and serious side effects.

The History of Silver in Medicine

The use of silver has been documented throughout history in hygiene and preservation. Ancient civilizations used silver in water storage and for practical applications linked to cleanliness and wound care. Silver has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial agent to reduce bioburden and prevent infection, although such usage diminished when antibiotics became prevalent. Before the advent of modern medicine, silver compounds were incorporated into textiles and topical use. This incorporation of silver into a range of applications reflects its reputation, even though today, silver is limited to regulated uses in cosmetics and medical devices.

How the particles of Silver Works

Colloidal silver has been studied for the way silver ions may interact with microorganisms. It is sometimes claimed that silver is active at a cellular membrane level, although scientific consensus remains limited. The effects of silver are complex and depend on various factors, including particle size and concentration. Silver is considered biologically active, but more research is needed to clarify antimicrobial efficacy and the action of silver in modern products. Publications in JAMA Dermatology and authors such as Lansdown have noted that colloidal silver may raise questions about ingestion and dermal exposure.

Benefits of Silver for Hygiene

General properties

Silver has historically been associated with hygiene due to its interaction with microorganisms. These properties have made antimicrobial silver a recurring material of interest for personal care. Products containing colloidal silver ingredients are positioned for hygiene and cosmetic purposes, not for therapeutic use. The benefits of silver in regulated personal care products are limited to hygiene, comfort, and preservation.

Use of Silver in Personal Care Products

Silver compounds can be found in creams, gels, and topical applications positioned for hygiene and skin comfort. These products are intended for external topical use only. Silver into a range of cosmetic formulations often serves as a currently available preservative. It is important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) have taken action against over-the-counter drug products containing colloidal silver marketed with unsubstantiated claims. Consumers are advised to seek reliable information before using silver ingredients in personal care products.

Silver in daily Hygiene

Silver has been referenced historically in hygiene practices. Today, it appears in certain regulated cosmetic and hygiene products. While ongoing research continues, it is important to distinguish between approved uses in cosmetics or devices and unverified claims sometimes linked to dietary supplements. In public health service contexts, the focus is on ensuring that products containing colloidal silver ingredients are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Use of Colloidal Silver in Personal Care

• Application for Skin → creams and gels positioned for hygiene and skin comfort.
• Skin Treatments → regulated under cosmetic and medical device frameworks.
• Oral Care → some toothpastes and rinses include silver, marketed for freshness, but regulators highlight risks such as staining and argyria.

Application for Skin

Some colloidal silver products, such as creams and gels, are marketed for external application to the skin. These products are positioned for hygiene and comfort and may be used in care routine approaches. Colloidal silver may be promoted for irritated skin, skin barrier support, or general freshness, but not for skin conditions. Healing properties are often claimed in alternative medicine, yet regulatory authorities remind that products are not intended to diagnose or prevent any disease.

Colloidal Silver in Skin Treatments

The cosmetics industry has introduced products containing silver, marketed for general skin hygiene. While these products are available, their efficacy remains debated, and users should follow labeling and professional advice. Products containing colloidal silver ingredients are regulated under cosmetics or medical devices frameworks.

Oral Care Contexts

Some oral care products have included colloidal silver ingredients in their formulations, marketed for freshness and hygiene. Scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited, and potential side effects, such as staining of teeth, should be considered. Consulting a dental professional before use is recommended. Ingestion of colloidal silver or colloidal silver ingestion can lead to risks such as argyria, also known as argyrosis, which has raised concerns among regulators.

Alternative Perspectives

Colloidal Silver vs. Conventional Treatments

In alternative medicine, colloidal silver is sometimes presented as a natural option. However, regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasize that drug products containing colloidal silver are not approved for treating health conditions. Consumers should not replace conventional treatments with colloidal silver and should always consult healthcare professionals before considering its use outside regulated categories.

Safety and Efficacy of Colloidal Silver

The safety and efficacy of colloidal silver remain topics of debate. While silver has long been associated with hygiene, concerns exist about potential risks, such as ingestion of colloidal silver and silver accumulation in the body (argyria, also known as argyrosis). The toxicity of silver and the possibility of serious side effects highlight why colloidal silver is only allowed in limited contexts. Regulatory agencies including the FDA have issued warnings against products making unsubstantiated medical claims.

Regulatory Status and Recommendations

The regulatory status of colloidal silver differs by country.

United States (FDA): Colloidal silver is not approved as a drug. The FDA regulates products marketed with health claims.

European Union (MDR / Cosmetics): Silver may be used in cosmetics and medical devices if compliant with strict safety and labeling regulations.

Supplements: Colloidal silver is not authorized for use with health claims in either the EU or the USA.

Consumers are encouraged to follow labeling, consider the action of silver within regulated categories, and consult healthcare professionals when in doubt. Silver is used in some cosmetics as a preservative, and antimicrobial efficacy is still under research. While bacteria are becoming prevalent with resistance to antibiotics, silver is sometimes studied as an antimicrobial agent to reduce bioburden.

Silver in Modern Care and Undertilt’s Role

Colloidal silver has been referenced for centuries in connection with hygiene and personal care. Historically, silver as an antimicrobial agent was noted in contexts of preservation and hygiene, although today its use is strictly regulated. Under EU MDR and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), products must comply with clear rules to ensure safety, labeling, and appropriate use. These frameworks help reduce the risk of unverified claims and ensure that products containing silver are responsibly positioned for their intended purpose.

At Undertilt, this responsible approach is central. The company develops and distributes Made in Italy wellness solutions in full compliance with international standards. Among its medical devices, Undertilt produces silver nipple shields (paracapezzoli in argento), designed to support comfort and protection during breastfeeding. By uniting tradition with innovation, Undertilt ensures that the use of silver as an antimicrobial agent is framed within safe, regulated, and reliable applications.

→ Learn more about our commitment to responsibility.

References

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Silver Products Marketed for Medical Uses
European Commission, Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 – EU Cosmetic Regulation
European Commission, Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745) – MDR Regulation EU 2017/745
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – Silver in health care: antimicrobial effects and safety in use (Lansdown, 2006)
JAMA Dermatology – Colloidal Silver: Risk and Safety Considerations