Sodium Magnesium Aluminum Silicate is a chemical compound, the complex silicate obtained by the reaction of Sodium Silicate and Sodium Aluminate in an aqueous solution of Magnesium Nitrate.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Silicate refers to silicates, a class of minerals that contain silicon and oxygen, often in combination with other elements.
• Sodium Magnesium Aluminum indicates that the silicate in question contains sodium, magnesium, and aluminum in its structure. This combination of elements gives the compound unique properties, such as increased absorbency and mattifying capabilities.

Raw materials used in production. 

Sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silica, clay minerals like montmorillonite or bentonite.

Step-by-step summary of industrial chemical synthesis process.

• Extraction of Clay Minerals. Minerals like bentonite or montmorillonite, rich in sodium, magnesium, and aluminum silicates, are extracted from the earth.
• Purification. The extracted minerals undergo purification to remove impurities and contaminants.
• Hydrolysis. Silica is fused with sodium hydroxide, yielding sodium silicate.
• Reaction with Magnesium and Aluminum. This sodium silicate is then made to react with magnesium and aluminum salts to form the sodium magnesium aluminum silicate.
• Precipitation and Filtration. The resulting compound is precipitated, separated, and then filtered to get a purified product.
• Drying. Finally, the compound is dried to remove any remaining water and attain the solid form of Sodium Magnesium Aluminum Silicate.

It appears in the form of a white powder.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Absorbent. Absorbs substances dispersed or dissolved in aqueous solutions, water/oil, oil/water.

Commercial applications

Cosmetics and Personal Care. Sodium Magnesium Aluminum Silicate is used as an opacifying agent, stabilizer, and texture enhancer in various cosmetic and personal care products like foundations, creams, and lotions.

Opacifying Agent. Helps give products a matte finish.

Stabilizer. Assists in maintaining the stability of the formulation.

Texture Enhancer. Makes products more creamy and spreadable.

Industrial Applications. This compound is also used in some industrial applications as a stabilizing or thickening agent.

Pharmaceutical and Medical Fields. In some contexts, it may be used as an excipient or slip agent in pharmaceutical preparations.

Safety

Aluminium can interfere with different biological processes (cellular oxidative stress, calcium metabolism, etc.), so it can induce toxic effects in different organs and systems, and the nervous system is the main target of its toxicity.

Careful consideration should be given to the risk of cumulative aluminum intake, which cannot be ruled out because this ingredient can be found in both cosmetic products and widely consumed food products such as bread, various baked goods (1).

• Molecular Formula  AlMgNaO₉Si₃
• Molecular Weight    302.53 g/mol
• CAS  12040-43-6
• UNII    
• EC Number   234-919-5
• DTXSID70890672

Synonyms:

Sodium magnesium aluminosilicate

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Tietz, T., Lenzner, A., Kolbaum, A.E. et al. Aggregated aluminium exposure: risk assessment for the general population. Arch Toxicol 93, 3503–3521 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-019-02599-z

 Abstract. Aluminium is one of the most abundant elements in earth’s crust and its manifold uses result in an exposure of the population from many sources. Developmental toxicity, effects on the urinary tract and neurotoxicity are known effects of aluminium and its compounds. Here, we assessed the health risks resulting from total consumer exposure towards aluminium and various aluminium compounds, including contributions from foodstuffs, food additives, food contact materials (FCM), and cosmetic products. For the estimation of aluminium contents in foodstuff, data from the German “Pilot-Total-Diet-Study” were used, which was conducted as part of the European TDS-Exposure project. These were combined with consumption data from the German National Consumption Survey II to yield aluminium exposure via food for adults. It was found that the average weekly aluminium exposure resulting from food intake amounts to approx. 50% of the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 1 mg/kg body weight (bw)/week, derived by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). For children, data from the French “Infant Total Diet Study” and the “Second French Total Diet Study” were used to estimate aluminium exposure via food. As a result, the TWI can be exhausted or slightly exceeded—particularly for infants who are not exclusively breastfed and young children relying on specially adapted diets (e.g. soy-based, lactose free, hypoallergenic). When taking into account the overall aluminium exposure from foods, cosmetic products (cosmetics), pharmaceuticals and FCM from uncoated aluminium, a significant exceedance of the EFSA-derived TWI and even the PTWI of 2 mg/kg bw/week, derived by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, may occur. Specifically, high exposure levels were found for adolescents aged 11–14 years. Although exposure data were collected with special regard to the German population, it is also representative for European and comparable to international consumers. From a toxicological point of view, regular exceedance of the lifetime tolerable aluminium intake (TWI/PTWI) is undesirable, since this results in an increased risk for health impairments. Consequently, recommendations on how to reduce overall aluminium exposure are given.

Wong, W.W., Chung, S.W., Kwong, K.P., Yin Ho, Y. and Xiao, Y., 2010. Dietary exposure to aluminium of the Hong Kong population. Food Additives and Contaminants, 27(4), pp.457-463.

Bratakos, S.M., Lazou, A.E., Bratakos, M.S. and Lazos, E.S., 2012. Aluminium in food and daily dietary intake estimate in Greece. Food Additives and Contaminants: Part B, 5(1), pp.33-44.