Skincare Ingredient
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Pumice
In Skincare: Is Pumice Safe? Comedogenic Rating & Side Effects
Safety Information
Quick Insights
At a glance
- 01
Pumice is a porous volcanic rock formed from rapidly cooling lava.
- 02
This ingredient is frequently incorporated into formulations designed to remove rough or calloused skin areas.
- 03
Pumicite, a powder derived from pumice, can function as a manual exfoliant.
- 04
Due to its abrasive texture, pumice may cause skin irritation and potentially disrupt the skin barrier.
Overview
Ingredient Profile
Role of Pumice
Active Cosmetic Mechanisms
ABRASIVE
Polishing & Scrubbing AgentRemoves dead skin cells and surface impurities through gentle scrubbing action
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Abrasive agents function through mechanical action to physically remove material from surfaces. In cosmetics, these are typically fine particles (silica, pumice, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene beads) that provide controlled friction to slough off dead corneocytes from the stratum corneum or remove dental plaque and stains from tooth enamel. The particle size, hardness, and shape determine the intensity of exfoliation.
BULKING
Volume BuilderAdds volume and body without adding weight
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Bulking agents increase product volume while maintaining low density. These include low-density powders (hollow microspheres, perlite, expanded polymers), aerogels, and materials with high specific volume. Mechanism involves entrapping air within particle structures or creating open, porous networks. In hair products, bulking agents coat individual strands, increasing diameter and creating space between hairs.
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Thickness RegulatorAdjusts product thickness and flow properties
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Viscosity controlling ingredients modify product flow characteristics through thickening or thinning. Thickeners include natural gums (xanthan, guar), synthetic polymers (carbomers, acrylates), and inorganic thickeners (silica, clays). Mechanism varies: polymer chain entanglement, hydrogen bonding networks, particle association, or swelling. Rheology modifiers create desired texture, prevent separation, control application properties, and affect sensory perception. Can produce Newtonian (constant viscosity) or non-Newtonian (shear-thinning, thixotropic) flow behavior.
Products
containing Pumice
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References
Scientific sources
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, July 2017, Pages 138-148
British Journal of Dermatology, April 2010, pages 812-818
Similar Ingredients
Ingredients with similar chemical profiles and skincare properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pumice — common questions
What is Pumice in skincare?
Pumice is a substance of volcanic origin consisting chieffly of complex silicates of aluminium and alkali metals
What does Pumice do? / Functions of Pumice?
Common functions: ABRASIVE, BULKING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING.
What is the comedogenic rating of Pumice? / Is Pumice comedogenic?
Pumice has a comedogenic rating of 1 out of 5. A rating of 1 means it is unlikely to clog pores.
Does it clog pores?
Pumice is unlikely to clog pores (rating 1/5).
Is Pumice safe for skin?
Pumice has a safety rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is generally considered safe for most skin types. Note: Pumice is generally considered safe for topical use in cosmetics, though it may pose a moderate risk of mechanical irritation, particularly in formulations designed for physical exfoliation. The Cosme
Is Pumice good for sensitive skin?
Pumice has an irritancy rating of 3 out of 5. A rating of 3 means it may cause mild irritation for some.
What are the side effects of Pumice in skincare?
Known considerations: Pumice is generally considered safe for topical use in cosmetics, though it may pose a moderate risk of mechanical irritation, particularly in formulations designed for physical exfoliation. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has not raised significant safety concerns for pumice in its current uses, but limited safety data exists on long-term or repeated application on sensitive or compromised skin. Additional risks: skin irritation (irritancy rating 3/5).