Mica - Main Mineral Makeup Ingredient

Mica is the main ingredient used in mineral makeup.

It creates the bulk of most mineral makeup formulations.

It is a transparent mineral mined from various parts of the world in thin sheets, with India having the most deposits.

For cosmetics, it is ground into a silky powder.

Some people try to find mineral makeup without it, in order to avoid the alleged sheen it gives.

This is a point of misunderstanding.

It CAN give a sheen, but doesn't always.

It comes in various luminosities, ranging from totally matte to highly shimmery.

Mineral makeup companies can choose which type to use in manufacturing their powders. It just depends upon the look and feel they desire in the final product.

This ingredient can come completely translucent (usually used for the bulk of mineral makeup), or colored. The colored versions are simply coated on a microscopic level with titanium dioxide, iron oxides, carmine, ferric ferrocyanide, manganese violet, etc.

The translucent version makes up the largest part of most mineral makeup formulas. It gives a creamy, smooth feel to the makeup and acts as an excellent filler.

Since it is translucent, it does NOT give any coverage. Thus if you have a product that is mainly mica, don’t expect it to cover blemishes like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide would. It will, however, reflect light, which does to an extent help to hide the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The silky, creamy feel is also really luxurious and glides gorgeously onto your skin.

In fact, the “gliding” nature of this ingredient is what makes it so perfect for mineral makeup. It has the ability to layer and create a smooth, even finish on your face. It also clings well to your skin, thus giving mineral makeup excellent adhesion, even during hot, sticky weather.

Usually in mineral foundations, this ingredient will make up about 50% of the mass on average. Were you to create a mineral formula WITHOUT it, it would feel like thick, pasty chalk. It would go on very heavy and dry, and not be very attractive.

The key to perfect loose powder makeup is to create (or find) a formula that combines all the ingredients in a perfect blend, according to their properties.

Too much of this ingredient and you won’t get much coverage from your makeup.

Too little and your makeup will be chalky and thick.

Etc…

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