A synergistic effect on the viscosity behavior of oils is obtained by the addition of a combination of from 0.1% to 10% by weight of a high-melting glyceride of saturated fatty acids (C14-C24) melting above 50 DEG C. (A) and from 0.2% to 10% by weight of a highly dispersed, pyrogenic silica (B), the weight ratio of (A) to (B) amounting to between 20:80 and 80:20. A distinct increase in viscosity may be obtained with relatively small additions of from 0.1% to 1.0% by weight of (A) and from 0.2% to 2% by weight of (B); additions of 1% by weight of (A) and 2% by weight of (B) in a ratio by weight of (A) to (B) of from 25:75 to 50:50 are required to obtain a pasty consistency.