Colloidal silver is actually tiny pieces of silver dispersed & suspended in water. The silver pieces are so small that they are invisible to the naked eye, appearing just like drinking water. Yet it’s this colloidal form of silver which makes it compatible with the body.
To easily understand its use(s): bacteria, fungus & viruses that come into contact with silver are immediately killed by it1. You only have to look in a hospital to see medically approved silver products as the standard for sterile equipment. It is this same antibacterial property of colloidal silver which makes it a great topical treatment on skin conditions such as acne, healing wounds and skin infections.
As a natural remedy that has been around for centuries, it’s still not one that is commonly used in the household. But its use as an antibacterial ingredient makes it an ideal member of your first aid kit for cuts & scrapes. If you search for further information online, you’ll quickly learn that colloidal silver gets quite a beating for its internal use. In some rare cases, it leaves irreversible silver deposits in the skin. But if you stick to products that are approved, you’ll only reap the benefits.
There’s a buzz surrounding this natural phenomenon. American television personalities Dr. Oz and Academy-Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow publicly took a stand in defense of the safety & efficacy of colloidal silver as a natural remedy. They even went so far to endorse its success as a cure-all remedy.
However, the medical community is less enthusiastic than they are, not fully embracing it as a panacea. The lack in scientific support has lead the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban its use in the 90s2. Over-the-counter drugs containing colloidal silver for internal use were no longer for sale. With only topical treatments and homeopathic remedies still made readily available. The EU food authorities (EFSA) followed suit in 2010, classifying it only to be used as an antimicrobial mineral solution – not as medicine or as a food supplement3.
Lotions & creams seem to be the one area where silver nano-particles really has the space to work. Dr. Robert Becker, a pioneer surgeon at Syracuse Medical University, mad a significant discovery. He found that colloidal form of silver triggers an “amazing and unexpected regrowth of tissues” when applied to an infected area. In other words, he found that it helped the skin repair itself. Resulting in dramatically enhanced the healing of damaged skin tissues. Becker’s studies also showed that no cases of topical treatment gave rise to any undesirable side effects.
Since then, it has become favored as an antibacterial mineral solution, becoming a more popular ingredient in high-end organic & green skincare products. You can find it in products like those from ARgENTUM apothercary (all featured in their discovery kit, kit de découverte), May Lindstrom’s Honey Mud or the YÜLI Elixirs – wherein colloidal silver is among the ingredients, if not the foremost ingredient.
These products make using colloidal silver quite the luxurious experience, and understandably so: its skin repairing and bacteria killing properties makes it a beloved treatment for many skin conditions.
Tags: Conscious Consumer, Cosmetic Safety, Eye on Ingredients, Health, Skin Care
Alana is a qualified naturopath & nutritionist from Australia. After years of studying and first clinical experiences, she moved to Europe where she spent many years as a health editor and writer for Amazingy Magazine. In 2020 Alana started her online Health Practice based out of Berlin. She believes the body has the innate ability to heal itself. The core of her work is teaching individuals the foundations of nutrition for an abundance of energy, smooth digestion and vital health. The stuff she teaches we just weren't taught at school, but it is fundamental for excellent health for everyone. Get in touch with Alana via her website: https://alanabonnemann.com/
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I’ve been using colloidal silver water as a toner, before applying the rest of my skin care routine and/or as a face mist, it leaves the skin so clean and fresh. Tip: keep it in the fridge, the refreshing feeling is more intense. Also, I’ve been using it as on my cat, when he was diagnosed with ring worm, i was using colloidal silver water and wipe the area with a cotton ball and then apply the medicated cream. Its strong anti-fungal properties made the ring worm go away much faster.
Morning all. I find all your experiences so up lifting. I am allergic to bee stings. I was stung on my forehead two years ago and it has left me with skin trauma (much lighter skin area). I have tried everything and read loads. Nothing seems to help. Even the dermatologist has no answers. Do you think CS will help? I am disparate for help as it is the first thing one sees. Really gets me down. Regards Jocasta
Do you know of any one using CS for the Tattoo Industry. I feel this would be a great product to speed up the healing process & fight off any bacteria that could take hold after the tattooing process..
I cannot believe it! I had a massive angry flair up of eczema around my mouth and been using various oils and shea to clear it but every day it got more angry but wow put colloidal silver on it with a cotton pad and by the evening it is now virtually dissappeared! Amaaazing!!!
Colloidal silver can also be used for acne and wound recovery as well.
Hi,
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Sushanth
For someone to get Argyria one would need to drink more than 20 litres of Colloidal Silver, every day. It is not caused by making it at home, 99.9% Silver is very expensive far too expensive for most of us to get Argyria. All of the photo’s you see of people with blue faces is either lies or there to frighten one into not taking Silver. Why? Because ‘they’ have antibiotics, which make ‘them’ lotsa money. Colloidal Silver is relatively much less expensive. Colloidal Silver is just good for facial skin inhibiting ageing too quickly,but it is a long term… Read more »
Do you have more info or links on your recipes ?
Guillaume would it be possible to get some more information on the composition of the drops you take? Thanks
I have been taking a half a cup in the morning and a half a cup at night of colloidal silver. Is this ok?
Dear Laura,
While we find the use of colloidal silver in cosmetics products to be highly effective, our expertise on the matter ends there ~ we believe that is best to consult with your physician when making decisions with can affect your internal body ♥
Wishing you the best, J. R. Thesis xx
Silver doesn’t discriminate between killing good and bad bacteria. It kills both. Your body needs good bacteria in your gut. You may want to quit that daily dose and save it for when your body needs it to help fight something off. Disclaimer: You should consult your physician. I am not a medical professional
It actually does discriminate between the bad and good bacteria. You need to do more research.
Hi Alana, I also started using colloidal silver as a topical treatment for cystic acne. I was tired of using the usual products and wanted something more gentle, natural and kills bacteria. I can see the breakouts healing and it is still a work in progress (1 week so far). I am using Argentym 23 first aid gel. It is a reputable brand and I use it at least twice a day. I hope that everything heals soon. I have changed my diet etc and I know that my breakouts stem from a lot of emotional stress. I am glad… Read more »
Hi Shaina, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! It sounds like you are on the right track, with the gentle use of colloidal silver, your dietary changes, plus acknowledging the emotional connection. I’m really happy to hear you have found what is working for you and your skin (this can take years or trial and error!) I think colloidal silver (topically) can work wonders with acne, acne scarring and associated bacterial infection, simply because of its antibacterial properties and its ability to helped the skin repair itself. So there is definitely more I can look into and write… Read more »
So glad CS is helping with your acne. One thing I want to correct you on is your blanket statement that argyria is caused by people who made their own silver and ingested huge amounts for decades. Most of that is true except for your implication that it was bc it was homemade that this happened. Hopefully, you understand that there are proper ways to make something and improper ways. Just like when you cook something, if you don’t follow the recipe, it could still taste edible, but it’s not the same as when you follow the recipe.
For acne, try 2 teaspoons of chia seeds, taken twice a day. My cystic acne is GONE after just a few days of this!
I’m 38 & all of a sudden was stricken with debilitating severe adult cystic acne. I’ve tried everything under the sun; hormones, antibiotics, pills, creams, prescriptions, laser treatments. You name it I’ve tried it with no results. After much research, I heard about colloidal silver & the many benefits. I bought the gel & applied it topically every night for almost 2 weeks now. My skin is almost completely healed! It will take a while I suppose as my skin was so red, inflamed and angry. But it took the deep painful cysts in my face right down in a… Read more »
Hey Daisy, What an incredible experience! Thank you so much for sharing. How long were you trying to heal your acne before you tried colloidal silver? Also, if it’s something you fancy, I have an article about an anti-inflammatory diet. This could potentially help calm the red, inflamed and angry skin.
I too hope this helps other in the journey towards happy skin Thanks again for sharing your story, Alana 🙂
I’m 36 and also had a bad bout of nodular cystic acne after my usual acne products stopped working. It was so painful and disfiguring. No amount of make up or concealer could cover it. I went out and spent 300$ at once on a bunch of fancy products… nothing helped. I have always use colloidal silver on my pets but never thought to try it on myself. Then one day it hit me ..duh why not try colloidal silver? Within 2 days my cysts were dramatically reduced and now after 8 day my skin is clear!!! I can’t believe… Read more »
Would applying colloidal silver topically on the face cause drying?
Hi Dee, It shouldn’t cause drying to the face. Because it’s is either suspended in a water solution, or as an ingredient (among other) in a cosmetic product. So unless the product has an overall drying properties, it shouldn’t cause drying.
Also just thought if you might be experiencing dry (or dehydrated) skin. This article about how to help that would be useful to you.
Alana
Would coloidal silver be effective on blepheritis?
Hi Cathy, I’d be cautious with applying anything so close to the eyes. Best check in with your local health practitioner. However, a gentle approach to reduce inflammation in blepheritis could be to eat an anti-inflammatory diet, this will help lower overall inflammation in the body.
Hope this could be helpful. Warmest regards, Alana
My wife has been taking 3 ounces 3 times a day (9ounces a day) of my home made colloidal silver for about 6 months. The oncologist is giving her a drug for her breast/lung cancer that severely lowers her white blood count and therefore her immunity so I expect the silver to boost her immune system. She got that flu that was going around after Christmas and quickly recovered from it. The doctor is surprised how well she is doing. I told him about the silver. I use it for cuts, burns, itches (skin, eyes, ears), and as an underarm… Read more »
This is a wonderful story, thanks for sharing with us Richard! Alana 🙂
Deodorant ? How do you use it
Will skincare that contains colloidal silver cause argyria condition?
Hi Charlene, good question. The safety concern of argyria is with ingestion of colloidal silver in large doses over time, not with topical use. In the US the FDA has approved it in cosmetics. In the EU it is allowed as well. However, to be on the safe side, I’d suggest to use all products containing colloidal silver in moderation.
As I have read, so this is not from personal experience, argyria is not caused by pure colloidal silver. It is caused by consuming large amounts of colloidal silver contaminated with some other chemical compounds, perhaps an electrolyte used in the manufacturing process. I don’t use an electrolyte when I make mine except for adding 20% colloidal silver (from my last batch) to 80% de-ionized water. A google search will give better details on argyria. My wife has been consuming 9 ounces of colloidal silver a day for over 6 months with no skin color change or any other side… Read more »
Thanks for your comment Richard. It’s great to hear about personal experiences, and what’s more, interesting about the argyria and contaminated colloidal silver… I will have to look further into that. Thanks! Alana
You may want to look into what you’re making. Typical home made solutions are not true colloidal silver, but instead ionic solutions. And with that said, most products out there arent even true colloidal silver, but instead ionic. One key giveaway is color. Ionic is clear, colloidal is amber. Ionic is not effective for internal use. It mixes with stomach acids to become ineffective. However true colloidal silver like me so silver,med I silver, and utopia silver will not mix with stomachs acids and remains absorbable and effective for consumption.
home made is colloidal, use didtilled water only, 5ppm- 10ppm generally will remain clear, 11ppm and up the water starts to yellow and if heavily concentrated it will brown
Thanks for you input and sharing your experience. Alana 🙂
I would suggest you do more research on that one .
Hey Mark,
Sorry that we didn’t accept your other two comments on the post, but i wanted to clarify for you: we choose to approve comments before they’re posted because we receive too much spam to do it any other way xx Cheers!
