Quartz
Quartz is a finely milled mineral powder used in cosmetics and skincare for its gentle exfoliating and light-reflecting properties. It adds a subtle shimmer to products while helping to buff away dead skin cells, leaving skin smoother and brighter. A popular natural ingredient in UK exfoliators, masks and illuminating primers.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, quartz functions as a physical exfoliant and texturising agent. The finely ground mineral particles provide mild abrasion to help remove dead skin cells and impurities from the skin’s surface, promoting a smoother texture and enhancing the penetration of other active ingredients. Its crystalline structure also gives products a soft-focus, light-diffusing effect, often used in primers, highlighters and body scrubs for a natural luminosity.
Key benefits
- Gentle physical exfoliation
- Helps smooth rough skin texture
- Adds natural luminosity and subtle shimmer
- Improves skin radiance and brightness
- Enhances product slip and spreadability
- Provides a soft-focus effect on the skin
Best for
normal skin, oily skin, combination skin, dull skin, rough texture
Where it comes from
Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral composed of silicon dioxide. It is mined from the earth’s crust in many parts of the world, including the UK, and then carefully purified and milled into a fine cosmetic-grade powder.