Mica 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Using Mica Powder in Soaps, Waxes, and More
What is mica powder?
Mica is a naturally occurring mineral that can be ground into a fine powder and used in products such as soaps, cosmetics, wax products and bath balls.
What are the uses of mica powder? Some mica powders are used as colorants, while others impart a shimmer or glitter effect
Mica powderThe appearance is natural gray or whiteTo achieve vibrant colors or sparkling effects, manufacturers coat mica powder with lab-made pigments
Is mica powder natural? Mica can be made from a natural mineral called muscovite or it can be created in a laboratoryThe lab-made version is called synthetic mica or fluorphlogopite, which is also composed of the mineral
Cosmetic mica powder, whether natural or synthetic, is not considered 100% natural because the pigments covering the mica powder are created in a laboratory
How much mica powder should you use?
Start by stirring a small amount of mica powder into the base color and see what color it produces, then add more until you get the color you wantDifferent amounts of phase mica powder will produce a variety of shades, so it may take some tweaking and testing to achieve the color you want.
For smaller works we recommend using a micro spoon or the smallest measuring spoon you have aroundNote which spoon you used so you can reproduce your results in the futureYou can find handmade micro scoops using the search term "micro scoop"Please remember that after all hand tools have been used for crafting, please do not use them for eating-related purposes
The color and opacity of the base will affect the color effect. A translucent base will produce more vivid colors.The natural color of the base will affect the final color after adding mica powder; a yellow base such as beeswax will retain its yellow tint, while a white base will produce a softer tone
Are you surprised that we don’t recommend using an electronic scale for taking measurements? If you are familiar with making DIY candles or using scented and essential oils, you know that we always recommend measuring materials with a scaleLike essential oils and essential oils, mica powders vary in densityWhile weighing materials of different densities is a more accurate method, the weight of mica powder required for many small works simply cannot be accurately measured over many pounds
To weigh mica powder, you will need a scale with 0.01 gram increments, such as a jewelry or cosmetic scaleCold process soap and cosmetic manufacturers often use small weight scales like this
While weighing mica powder with an electronic scale is the best way to ensure accuracy, for beginners, start by measuring with a spoon or teaspoonIf you need to use large amounts of mica powder, we recommend upgrading your scale and measuring by weight
Using mica in soap and cosmetic bases
Mica powder produces bright, stable colors but works slightly differently than liquid dyesThe mica powder is suspended in the base, while the liquid dye binds to the base and reaches saturationSo while liquid soap dyes are great for simple designs and creating gradient soaps, mica powder is more capable of achieving complex designs where the color stays the same
Melt and re-make soap base
- TransparentMelt-remanufactured soap baseis the best choice for making brightly colored soapsThe shimmering mica powder also shines brighter in a clear base
- Using mica powder in a white melted reconstituted soap base produces a softer color and a softer shimmer effect
- To add extra sparkle to your melted reconstituted soap base, dust the mold with mica powder before pouring the soap or sprinkle with mica powder before the soap is completely cooled
- Mica powder can be mixed with soap dye! For an effect that you prefer using liquid soap dye but want a little sparkle, use liquid soap dye for tint and shimmer mica powder for added shine
- Mica powder sometimes clumps when added to a baseTo avoid clumping, mix mica powder with a small amount of oil, glycerin, or isopropyl alcohol before adding to the baseYou can also press the clumps against the sides of the measuring cup to separate them
- Note: Do not add more oil than the soap base can bearMaximum amounts added are listed on the product description page for each melt and casting base
Cosmetic primers, body oils, and other bath and body care products
What else can mica powder do? There are many possibilities! Mica is ideal for processing because it is inert in many substrates, meaning it will not react or dissolveBecause of this, you don’t have to worry about water or oil solubilityMica powder can be used in the following commonly used body care products
- Sparkling Body Oil
- Body lotions and oils
- Eye shadow, blush and other powder cosmetics
- Lip gloss and lipstick
- Nail polish
Mica powder is approved for different uses or product typesWhile some mica powders are approved for use in eye products, lip products, and bath bombs, others may not
Learnhow to determine which mica powders are suitable for different applications
Mica powder in wax products, wickless candles and other household fragrance products
Can mica powder be used in wax products? Yes! However, this may not be the best way to color wax items
Mica powder particles will be suspended in the wax after the wax solidifiesWhen you heat a wax product made from mica powder, you will notice a swirly pattern as the wax meltsThese swirly patterns appear because when the wax melts, suspended mica powder is released from its position in the solid waxAs the wax changes from solid to liquid, the mica particles move around
When the wax is completely melted, the mica powder eventually falls to the bottom of the wax productWhen cooled, the wax above the fallen mica powder returns to its original color
If you can accept that your wax products will change in appearance after each burn, mica powder can be an interesting material to customize your wax products and wickless candles
Wax products and wickless candles
- Candle dyes can be mixed with mica powder for use in wax products and wickless candlesIf you want your wax product to retain a certain color after burning, we recommend using candle dye to achieve the desired color and adding mica powder for a shimmer or glitter effect
- Mica powder can be blended into the wax, or it can be lightly sprinkledYou can also try dipping the brush into mica powder and placing it on the mold or clamshell moldDab the brush onto the surface of the wax
- Pouring temperature affects the distribution and sedimentation mode of mica powder in waxA higher pouring temperature will cause the mica to sink to the bottom faster, while a lower pouring temperature will help it to be more evenly suspended in the wax.
Can mica be used in candles?
Mica powder will clog the candle wick and cause problems such as candle tunneling or self-extinguishing.If you want to use mica powder in your candles, we recommend sticking to wickless candles to avoid burning issues
Can mica powder be used in diffuser bottles?
We do not recommend adding mica powder to your diffuser bottleThe principle of diffusing stick is to suck the scented diffusing solution upward to distribute it into the air
Like candle wicks, mica powder can clog diffuser sticks and prevent your diffuser bottle from fully distributing fragrance.Aesthetically, mica powder tends to settle to the bottom of the diffuser solution, so the mica powder ends up forming a layer at the bottom of the diffuser solution
Use mica powder to get creative
Many things can be made with mica powder! Whether you plan to use mica powder in soaps, wax products, wickless candles, or in bath and body care products, we hope this overview of mica powder inspires your creativity
