Diatomaceous Earth (Freshwater)
Diatomaceous Earth (Freshwater)
Diatomaceous Earth (Freshwater) (Fossil Silica Powder)
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine, silica-rich powder made from the fossilised remains of diatoms, a type of microscopic algae. Ours is freshwater-sourced. Each tiny shell is porous and hard, which is why DE is used as a gentle abrasive and absorbent.
Cosmetic makers use diatomaceous earth in scrubs and cleansers as a mild exfoliant, in dry blends as an absorbent and anti-caking agent, and as an opacifying powder in some colour cosmetics.
|
Freshwater DE Fossil silica powder |
Gentle exfoliant Scrubs and cleansers |
Absorbent Dry blends and powders |
500 g to 2 kg Three pack sizes |
Safety information: for external (cosmetic) use only. Keep out of reach of children, keep away from the eyes, patch test before first use and avoid breathing in the dust. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Diatomaceous Earth (Freshwater) |
| INCI (typical) | Diatomaceous Earth (Solum Diatomeae) |
| Type | Fossilised diatom silica powder, freshwater source |
| Appearance | Fine powder. White to off-white |
| Behaviour | Insoluble. Absorbent and mildly abrasive |
| Suitable for | Scrubs, cleansers, dry blends, body powders, deodorant powders, soap, colour cosmetics |
| Typical usage | Start at about 1-5% in scrubs and powder blends, then adjust |
| Not suitable for | Internal use. Do not inhale the dust |
| Pack Sizes | 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from moisture and direct sunlight |
| Use | Raw material for cosmetic makers. Formulation, safety assessment and labelling of finished products are the maker's responsibility |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Scrubs and cleansers | A mild exfoliant. Mix into oils, gels or soap bases |
| Dry blends and body powders | An absorbent that helps stop powders clumping |
| Deodorant powders | Used in dry deodorant blends as an absorbent |
| Soap | Adds a gentle scrubbing action. Mix to a paste first |
| Colour cosmetics | Used as an opacifying powder |
| Masks | Blend with clay in a dry mask mix |
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth in a Scrub
- Measure. Wear a dust mask and weigh the powder. It is very fine.
- Blend. Stir 1 teaspoon of DE into 3-4 tablespoons of a carrier oil such as apricot kernel oil, or into a soap or cleanser base.
- Patch test. Test on a small area of skin first. DE is mildly abrasive.
- Massage. Use gentle circular movements on damp skin, avoiding the eyes and any broken skin.
- Rinse. Rinse with warm water, pat dry and moisturise.
Using It in Scrubs, Soap & Powders ▼
These are common maker starting points, not fixed rules. Results vary with your recipe, so always test a small batch first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scrubs and cleansers | About 1-5% of the formula | Start low, test the feel, and increase gently. |
| Dry blends and powders | About 5-20% of the dry mix | Blend dry with other powders and sieve. |
| Soap | About 1 tsp per 500 g of base | Mix to a paste first. Too much can feel scratchy. |
| Deodorant powders | As an absorbent in the mix | Blend with kaolin and test on a small area. |
| Masks | A few percent in a clay mask mix | Use sparingly. It is mildly abrasive. |
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Dust everywhere | Very fine, light powder | Work slowly, wear a dust mask and clean up with a damp cloth. |
| Scrub feels scratchy | Too much DE | Use less, mix well and massage gently. |
| Skin feels dry | Absorbent powder | Add more carrier oil to scrubs and moisturise after. |
| Powder clumps | Humidity | Store sealed and dry, and sieve before use. |
| Settles in a liquid product | Insoluble powder | Stir before use or use a thickener to hold it in suspension. |
Safety & Selling Your Products ▼
This product is a cosmetic raw material for external use only. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children, keep it away from the eyes and do not use it on broken or irritated skin. Fine powders can irritate the airways, so wear a dust mask when weighing or pouring and avoid creating dust clouds. Do a patch test before first use and stop using it if irritation occurs.
Diatomaceous earth is a fine silica dust. Do not breathe it in: wear a dust mask when weighing or pouring and avoid creating clouds of dust. It can irritate the eyes and dry the skin. We sell this product for cosmetic and craft use. We do not give directions for use as a pest-control product or for use by or on animals, and it should not be swallowed.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What is diatomaceous earth?
The fossilised remains of diatoms, microscopic algae with hard, porous silica shells. It is milled to a fine powder.
What does freshwater mean?
Ours comes from a freshwater source. We sell it for cosmetic and craft use, for external use only.
Can I use it in a scrub?
Yes. It is a mild exfoliant. Start with a small amount, mix into oil, and test on a small area of skin.
Is the dust a problem?
Yes. Wear a dust mask and avoid breathing it in.
Can I eat it or use it internally?
No. It is sold for external cosmetic use only.
Can I use it in the garden or on pets?
We sell it for cosmetic and craft use and do not give instructions for gardens, pest control or animals.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| 500 g | $10.95 | $2.19 |
| 1 kg | $19.95 | $1.99 |
| 2 kg | $38.20 | $1.91 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with kaolin clay, bentonite clay or activated charcoal for scrubs and masks, and add lavender essential oil or tea tree essential oil. Mix into carrier oils or apricot kernel oil, or use in soap with a white SLS-free melt and pour base. See also our exfoliators. Browse all clays and cosmetic powders. |
 Product Documents
|
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Diatomaceous Earth (Freshwater) (Fossil Silica Powder)
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine, silica-rich powder made from the fossilised remains of diatoms, a type of microscopic algae. Ours is freshwater-sourced. Each tiny shell is porous and hard, which is why DE is used as a gentle abrasive and absorbent.
Cosmetic makers use diatomaceous earth in scrubs and cleansers as a mild exfoliant, in dry blends as an absorbent and anti-caking agent, and as an opacifying powder in some colour cosmetics.
|
Freshwater DE Fossil silica powder |
Gentle exfoliant Scrubs and cleansers |
Absorbent Dry blends and powders |
500 g to 2 kg Three pack sizes |
Safety information: for external (cosmetic) use only. Keep out of reach of children, keep away from the eyes, patch test before first use and avoid breathing in the dust. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Diatomaceous Earth (Freshwater) |
| INCI (typical) | Diatomaceous Earth (Solum Diatomeae) |
| Type | Fossilised diatom silica powder, freshwater source |
| Appearance | Fine powder. White to off-white |
| Behaviour | Insoluble. Absorbent and mildly abrasive |
| Suitable for | Scrubs, cleansers, dry blends, body powders, deodorant powders, soap, colour cosmetics |
| Typical usage | Start at about 1-5% in scrubs and powder blends, then adjust |
| Not suitable for | Internal use. Do not inhale the dust |
| Pack Sizes | 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from moisture and direct sunlight |
| Use | Raw material for cosmetic makers. Formulation, safety assessment and labelling of finished products are the maker's responsibility |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Scrubs and cleansers | A mild exfoliant. Mix into oils, gels or soap bases |
| Dry blends and body powders | An absorbent that helps stop powders clumping |
| Deodorant powders | Used in dry deodorant blends as an absorbent |
| Soap | Adds a gentle scrubbing action. Mix to a paste first |
| Colour cosmetics | Used as an opacifying powder |
| Masks | Blend with clay in a dry mask mix |
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth in a Scrub
- Measure. Wear a dust mask and weigh the powder. It is very fine.
- Blend. Stir 1 teaspoon of DE into 3-4 tablespoons of a carrier oil such as apricot kernel oil, or into a soap or cleanser base.
- Patch test. Test on a small area of skin first. DE is mildly abrasive.
- Massage. Use gentle circular movements on damp skin, avoiding the eyes and any broken skin.
- Rinse. Rinse with warm water, pat dry and moisturise.
Using It in Scrubs, Soap & Powders ▼
These are common maker starting points, not fixed rules. Results vary with your recipe, so always test a small batch first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scrubs and cleansers | About 1-5% of the formula | Start low, test the feel, and increase gently. |
| Dry blends and powders | About 5-20% of the dry mix | Blend dry with other powders and sieve. |
| Soap | About 1 tsp per 500 g of base | Mix to a paste first. Too much can feel scratchy. |
| Deodorant powders | As an absorbent in the mix | Blend with kaolin and test on a small area. |
| Masks | A few percent in a clay mask mix | Use sparingly. It is mildly abrasive. |
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Dust everywhere | Very fine, light powder | Work slowly, wear a dust mask and clean up with a damp cloth. |
| Scrub feels scratchy | Too much DE | Use less, mix well and massage gently. |
| Skin feels dry | Absorbent powder | Add more carrier oil to scrubs and moisturise after. |
| Powder clumps | Humidity | Store sealed and dry, and sieve before use. |
| Settles in a liquid product | Insoluble powder | Stir before use or use a thickener to hold it in suspension. |
Safety & Selling Your Products ▼
This product is a cosmetic raw material for external use only. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children, keep it away from the eyes and do not use it on broken or irritated skin. Fine powders can irritate the airways, so wear a dust mask when weighing or pouring and avoid creating dust clouds. Do a patch test before first use and stop using it if irritation occurs.
Diatomaceous earth is a fine silica dust. Do not breathe it in: wear a dust mask when weighing or pouring and avoid creating clouds of dust. It can irritate the eyes and dry the skin. We sell this product for cosmetic and craft use. We do not give directions for use as a pest-control product or for use by or on animals, and it should not be swallowed.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What is diatomaceous earth?
The fossilised remains of diatoms, microscopic algae with hard, porous silica shells. It is milled to a fine powder.
What does freshwater mean?
Ours comes from a freshwater source. We sell it for cosmetic and craft use, for external use only.
Can I use it in a scrub?
Yes. It is a mild exfoliant. Start with a small amount, mix into oil, and test on a small area of skin.
Is the dust a problem?
Yes. Wear a dust mask and avoid breathing it in.
Can I eat it or use it internally?
No. It is sold for external cosmetic use only.
Can I use it in the garden or on pets?
We sell it for cosmetic and craft use and do not give instructions for gardens, pest control or animals.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| 500 g | $10.95 | $2.19 |
| 1 kg | $19.95 | $1.99 |
| 2 kg | $38.20 | $1.91 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with kaolin clay, bentonite clay or activated charcoal for scrubs and masks, and add lavender essential oil or tea tree essential oil. Mix into carrier oils or apricot kernel oil, or use in soap with a white SLS-free melt and pour base. See also our exfoliators. Browse all clays and cosmetic powders. |
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Product Documents
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