Colloidal Silver

Colloidal Silver is mixture of tiny silver particles in a liquid base. It has antimicrobial properties.

Silver ions work by disrupting the cell membranes of bacteria that ultimately leads to cell death; this is why you'll see it appear in wound dressings, acne treatments, and products for acne-prone skin.

Silver nanoparticle gel performed comparably to the antiobiotic clindamcyin in a double-blinded, randomized study for treating moderate acne (both were combined with benzoyl peroxide).

It should be noted the overall body of clinical evidence is still pretty thin, and some in-vitro studies have found that commercially available colloidal silver solutions didn't actually show antimicrobial activity against tested organisms.

The most well-known risk of using this ingredient is argyria. Argyria is the condition where silver builds up in the body's tissues and causes a permanent bluish-gray skin discoloration (and this is mostly associated with oral ingestion rather than topical use).

The FDA ruled in 1999 that over-the-counter colloidal silver products are not generally recognized as safe and effective and the NCCIH notes that silver has no known beneficial function in the body and is not an essential mineral.

It's a good idea to talk to a dermatologist first and stick to well-formulated topical products if you're considering a colloidal silver skincare product.