Calcium Sodium Borosilicate

Calcium Sodium Borosilicate is a synthetic mineral glass used mostly as a cosmetic effect ingredient, not a skincare treatment. It’s made into tiny, reflective particles that give formulas a sparkling, pearly, or shimmery finish. You’ll often see it in highlighters, eyeshadows, body products, and sometimes nail or hair cosmetics where a light-catching look is the goal.

For skin and hair, its main role is visual: it can make complexion products look more luminous and help hair or body products catch the light. People who enjoy makeup with a radiant, polished finish are the main beneficiaries. It doesn’t hydrate, exfoliate, or repair skin, but it can enhance the appearance of glow and dimension in a formula.

Caveat: because it’s a particulate ingredient, it’s best used as intended in finished cosmetics rather than handled as a loose powder. In very sensitive areas, especially around the eyes, some people may prefer smoother, less sparkly formulas if they find shimmer irritating or messy.