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Mica Powder Pigments

What is Mica Powder?

Mica is a naturally occurring, non-toxic mineral that is finely ground to create a shimmering powder. This mineral emits a natural sparkle with various depth levels, making it ideal for mineral-based makeup, several paints, and arts and crafts projects of all sorts. Other minerals like Iron Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are commonly used to coat the Mica and give it different colors as natural Mica is mostly translucent.

Is mica powder FDA approved?

Yes! Mica Powders are considered color additives required to be listed/apporved by the FDA in one of the two main categories below:

1. Those subject to the FDA's certification process
2. Those exempt from the certification process

Since mica powders are obtained from mineral sources, they are FDA approved but not subject to batch certification requirements. However, they comply with the requirements stated in the FDA regulations 21 CFR 73 for makeup purposes. MEYSPRING pigments are primarily composed of natural Mica, with Titanium Dioxide or Iron Oxide as coating materials. All three ingredients are FDA approved for cosmetic grade.

Are mica powders matte?

No, MEYSPRING mica powder pigments are all shimmery pigments that create a very sparkly finish with metallic tones.

Is mica powder flammable?

No, mica-based pigments are not flammable. All MEYSPRING mica powders can withstand heat up to °F.

Is Mica Powder vegan?

Yes. All MEYSPRING pigments are 100% vegan, skin safe, and non-toxic as they are a 100% mineral-based products. 

Is Mica Powder edible?

MEYSPRING mica powders are skin safe and cosmetic grade. We cannot state, though, that our pigments are edible (i.e., for edible glitter for food decoration). Although they are non-toxic and inert, we do not recommend eating them. The FDA is currently advising home and professional bakers to avoid using glitter and dust products to decorate cakes and other food items unless the products are specifically manufactured to be edible. For more information, please refer to the FDA&#;s advisory here: FDA Advises Bakers to Avoid Use of Non-Edible Food Decorative Products.

Is MEYSPRING Mica Powder responsibly sourced?

Yes. All MEYSPRING pigments come from reputable Non-Indian Suppliers that provided official statements assuring us they never source mica powder from mines located in India or South Africa. From the beginning at MEYSPRING, it&#;s been a must to source from suppliers that don&#;t use any kind of human exploitation, such as child labor. MEYSPRING pigments are always 100% Cruelty-Free in regards to human and animal treatment alike.

Do mica powders have any type of smell?

No, mica-based pigments are odorless.

Does mica powder expire?

As MEYSPRING mica-based pigment powders are 100% mineral and inert, they remain effective and don&#;t change over time even if opened. For a long-lasting product, ensure no moisture gets into the jars/resealable bags and store in a dry location.

Do Mica Powders stain clothes?

MEYSPRING pigments should not stain clothes/fabric. Like most common household stains (makeup, wine, coffee), if you treat the area with a pre-wash spray, it will come out in a regular wash cycle.

Will Mica Powder dissolve?

There are almost no substances into which MEYSPRING mica pigments will dissolve. That may seem like a hindrance at first, but it is the secret to mica&#;s versatility. From its natural state as a jagged mineral, mica intended for commercial or decorative use is typically ground into a fine powder. This powder is then dyed, and because it will not dissolve in most substances, it is incredibly stable. This feature allows pigmented mica to be added to almost any paints, adhesives, and resins to color them without modifying their inherent properties.

 

Pigment Powders in Epoxy Resin

How to use mica powder in resin?

Since Micas are highly pigmented mineral powders, a tiny bit will usually go a long way when it comes to adding color and pearlescent effects to resin art projects like jewelry, resin coasters, or even small resin geodes and paintings. For epoxy resin river tables and larger resin casting projects, a more significant pigment load will be needed but still not a lot. The most important thing is understanding how much pigment you need depending on the type of project and the desired outcome. You can learn more about this on our blog post linked here.

How much Mica Powder in Epoxy

Resin for a vibrant color?

For a vibrant, fully opaque color, we recommend using 1% to 3.5% of pigment powder in the total amount of Epoxy Resin by weight. The greater the percentage of pigment you use, the more saturated the final color will be. Please keep in mind that adding more than 4% of pigment to any resin could affect the curing process.

Will MEYSPRING micas create a rich solid color or a translucent one when mixed into Epoxy Resin?

The amount of pigment you use to color your resin will determine how translucent the final result will be. The recommended mica powder - epoxy ratio in small projects is 1g of mica powder per 1 ounce of epoxy resin for a rich solid color. We always recommend starting by adding a tiny amount of pigment and continually increasing that amount until it produces the desired color and level of saturation.

How much mica powder to color 500ml of epoxy?

Depending on the saturation or transparency level, you&#;ll need more or less pigment to achieve it. For well-saturated results in small amounts of resin: 1g Mica per 1oz Epoxy Resin is the standard ratio. In this case, 500 ml is approximately 16 oz, so you wouldn&#;t need more than 16g of mica powder for coloring your project, usually way less than will produce outstanding color saturation.

How much mica powder do I need to make an epoxy river table?

MEYSPRING mica powder pigments allow for the epoxy to have an iridescent/metallic look while achieving a translucent or opaque result, depending on the amount that you add.

• For a translucent look, we recommend adding 1.5 teaspoons per 30 Liters or 8 Gallons. This amount will allow you to see through the epoxy and still see some detail on the live edge.
• For an opaque look: 3 teaspoons per 30 Liters or 8 Gallons. This amount will remove the ability to see the live edge, and you won't see through the epoxy. 

We recommend starting with a little bit of pigment and adding more until getting the results you are looking to achieve.

What MEYSPRING pigments can I use to create a wave effect in beach themed resin art pieces?

To create a wave effect, most artists use a pigment paste. Our mica powders produce a lot of movement and cells with a little bit of heat and the proper amount of pigment in resin. But to create lacing and foam effect on beach-inspired resin pieces with our white pigment powders, it's essential to understand the science behind cells formation in resin art. You can learn more about how it works in this Blog Post.

What epoxy brand should I use with MEYSPRING pigments?

We don't have any specific recommendations for epoxy resin brands as there are many great ones out there at various price points. However, we do recommend researching which one best suits your needs - i.e., the viscosity needed for the style of projects you're doing, cure time, food-safeness, heat resistance, etc. 

We always recommend testing a small pigment batch with your chosen resin through the curing phase to ensure you'll get the desired outcome before using any MEYSPRING pigment with a larger project.

• Resin Painting or Geode Art Projects: Most artists usually prefer the self-leveling resins with a thicker viscosity for this kind of project to ensure the colors stay where they need them on the canvas or surface of choice. More viscous epoxy resins typically have a shorter working and cure time.

• Deep Molds/ Deep Pours and Epoxy Casting Projects: For larger resin river tables, crystal molds, pyramids, etc., using a resin specifically designed for "deep pours/casts" is highly recommended. Casting resins are typically formulated to produce fewer bubbles and have a much longer working and cure time.

• Food-safe Surfaces: Any surfaces in your resin projects that could be touching food or beverage should be created with a resin listed as "food-safe" upon curing.

• Heat Resistant Epoxy Projects: For projects such as resin coasters and trays designed to set hot items on, ensure your chosen resin brand is heat-resistant and check the maximum temperature it would withstand.

 

DIY Mineral Makeup, Candles, and Soap Making

Can Mica Powder be used in lip gloss?

While MEYSPRING micas are non-toxic, skin safe, and cosmetic grade, not all are considered lip-safe. The FDA places strict guidelines on color additives that can be used on the lips to avoid risks of internal consumption. For example, you shouldn't use any mica powder containing Chromium Oxide Greens, Ferric Ferrocyanide, or Ultramarines on lip gloss or any other lip product. But other mineral oxides like Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, or Zinc Oxide are perfectly safe. Listed below are all our FDA-approved Pigments safe for use on the lips:

Two Tone Collection:

Gemstones Collection:

Geode Art Collection:

Can Mica Powder be used for makeup?

You can use MEYSPRING mica-based pigment powders to color all kinds of mineral makeup recipes such as eyeshadow, blush, lipstick, etc. They all have the perfect particle size for makeup purposes and the ingredients are FDA approved and skin-safe.

Can mica powder be used in candles?

Yes, MEYSPRING mica-based pigments are a popular colorant for candles. They are shimmery powders made of silicate minerals. These powders reflect light, and they create a beautiful sparkling effect when the candle is melting. On top of that, they aren't very susceptible to fading, as they do not migrate or bleed. If you like to pour different colors, they will not merge or blend into each other as the candle burns.

On the downside, since they are inert mineral powders and do not dissolve, some pigments might not burn well and clog the wick. Instead of combining them into melted wax to color a candle throughout, some candle makers prefer to paint the outside of a finished candle with them. If you want to learn more about this, check this blog post. 

Can MEYSPRING Mica Powders be used in cold process soap?

You can! However, several MEYSPRING pigments are unstable in the high pH of raw cold processed soap like for example all our pigments in the Geode Art Collection. Therefore, we always recommend testing out a small amount of mica in a small amount of lye water to see if the color morphs or fades before coloring your entire batch.

All mica pigments in our Gemstones Collection are stable in the high pH of raw cold processed soap so they all can be used to color your soap-making projects.

See below the MEYSPRING pigments from our Two Tone Collection that work in cold processed soap:

How do I use mica powder to get a multi-colored look in melt and pour soap?

Adding color to melt and pour soap with our pigments is straightforward. You can either add a little bit of MEYSPRING mica powder directly to the melted soap and stir well or pre-mix the pigment powder with one tablespoon of 99% isopropyl alcohol first and then add that mixture to the melted soap. The second method helps the color mix in more quickly.

Achieving a multi-colored swirling is a little bit more complicated because when in liquid form, melt and pour soap is much thinner than cold process soap, and colors easily blend. The good news is multi-colored swirls are still achievable. The key is temperature. The warmer your melt and pour soap colors are, the more they will swirl together. As melted soap cools, it also becomes thicker. The cooled, slightly thicker texture helps to prevent the colors from mixing too much. Pouring the colors at a different temperature (for example, one color at 135°F and the other at 120°F) would result in a more defined swirl. To get a more fluid effect of various colors swirled together, you can simultaneously pour the soap bases and at a similar temperature (Example, 130°-135°F).

Can mica powder be used in bath bombs?

Definitely! However, as our mica powder pigments do not dissolve in water, you&#;ll need to use Polysorbate-80 in your mix to prevent any staining.

 

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Mica Powder for Building.

Other Mica Powder Uses

Can I use mica powders to make paint?

MEYSPRING micas are best if used with transparent paints or mediums like epoxy resin, mate acrylic medium, clear varnishes, lacquer, paint binders. When added to already colored paints, they might not work correctly or require a more massive pigment load, and the colors will likely turn to a pastel tone. We recommend always using a clear base.

Can I add mica powder to a pouring medium, such as Floetrol or Liquitex, and use them on canvas?

You can certainly add these to any pouring medium, such as Floetrol or Liquitex. Translucent mediums are recommended since they won't modify or lighten the colors that much. To make Floetrol paint with these micas, just dilute them in a little bit of water first, then add Floetrol to thicken. Make sure you mix enough pigment because Floetrol can lighten the colors significantly.

Can mica powders be used to make watercolor paints?

Absolutely! You can make your own watercolor paints using mica powders and a binding agent made of gum arabic, water, and honey. In addition, some drops of essential oil are an excellent natural preservative, adding a delicious smell and avoiding molding. For a detailed 100% natural recipe and step-by-step process check this blog post.

Can mica powders be mixed with water to create a wash?

You can indeed mix our mica powders with water. Since they are non-toxic and inert, they won't react, dissolve, or lose their color. Pigment particles will be suspended in the water and sink after a while.

Can you mix mica powder with acrylic powder?

Yes, you can mix MEYSPRING mica powders with clear acrylic powder to get colored acrylics such as acrylic nails. Most people use a mortar and a pestle to grind up the pigments and the acrylic so that there are no lumps and the mixture is nice and smooth. The proportions depend on the color intensity you want to achieve. We recommend starting with a little bit of pigment mixed into about ¼ teaspoon acrylic powder and then adding more pigment powder until you get the desired color. Always test the final result using liquid acrylic because it usually gets darker when it is wet. You can also mix two or more colors from our set to get a customized hue.

Can I use mica powders with polymer clay?

Yes, there are a couple of different ways you can do this. First, you can mix the pigments right into your clay work before baking. However, as Clay isn&#;t always a translucent medium, the colors may not appear as vibrant as intended. The second option is to brush the pigments onto your clay work to give a more vibrant appearance. As Mica Powder has a melting point of °F, it won&#;t be affected by the baking/kiln processes.

Can I use mica powder to color glass?

Yes! The necessary foundation for using MEYSPRING mica powders to color glass is using clean-burning glass glue and rubbing alcohol. We recommend using a rough ratio of 2 parts mica powder to 1 part glass glue to 1 part rubbing alcohol. The recommended temperature for this mixture is about ° F. Always make sure you take the correct precautionary measures while using the mixture and keep away from eyes and skin.

Can you use mica powder in concrete or grout?

MEYSPRING mica powders need to be mixed with a clear base to achieve the actual color. When combined with a grey or white base like tiling grout, the pigment turns to a pastel color. It can be mixed with grout or concrete, but it is not recommended. The ratio would be 2-3lbs of pigment per 60lb bag.

Hello Beauties,

We get asked about mica a lot and we're so thankful that brands, consumers, and the industry are starting to ask these questions. Change can only begin when these issues are brought out of the darkness.

In this blog, we'll chat about:

• What Mica Is + How It's Used In Cosmetics
• Child Labor In Mica Mining
• Our Stance On Mica
• Natural Vs Synthetic Mica
• What You Can Do To Support This Issue

What is Mica?

'Mica' refers to a group of minerals used to give sparkle to consumer products. 37 different varieties of mica are found and mined all over the world, with the majority coming from illegal mines in India and Madagascar.

Mica in Cosmetics

The cosmetics industry is the 4th largest buyer of mica, after electronics, painting, and construction.

Mica is found in most beauty and personal care products. Basically, if a product shimmers, shines, or gives 'a glow', it probably has mica in it. Products ranging from eyeshadow and blush to toothpaste and conditioner use mica's natural sparkle.

On ingredient labels, look for:

Mica, C1 , Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Glimmer, Kaliglimmer, or Muskovit.

Illegal Mica Mining + Child Labor

The corrupt, cruel reality of illegal mica mining is no secret. Thankfully this issue has been exposed and brought into the light for government, industry, brands, and consumers to see. We cannot make a change, nor make an informed, aligned decision unless we open our eyes to the whole truth.

The mica mining industry is huge &#; this one group of minerals amounts to about a half billion dollars in trade every year. And at least 25% of it comes from illegal, unethical mining operations in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Rajasthan in India. Mining in poverty-stricken areas of Madagascar make up another huge part of the pie &#; an area known for the use of child labor.

In India alone, over 22,000 children work as mica laborers &#; some as young as 5 years old.

Image Credit: Terre des Hommes

The miners, many of them children, labor all day in the dangerous mines, and sift through their findings in the scorching sun. The smallest children are sent into dark, narrow shafts up to 300 meters deep to mine the mica that adults can't reach. They risk cuts, broken bones, and if debris falls or the tunnel caves in, they can die. They live with that fear every time they enter the tunnels. They've seen their friends and family members lose their lives.

One story from a Refinery 29 video is particularly heartbreaking: two sisters were working in the tunnel of a mine when the earth caved in on them. The older sister, Sumar escaped with severe scarring, but her sister Lakshmi did not survive. The family, including Sumar, still work in the mines every day. They have no other option if they want to eat.

Lakshmi's tragic death is 1 of 10 - 20 child deaths that occur every month in Indian mines.

Although there are no official figures on child deaths in the mines, as it is all illegal, we hear about them through our networks in the villages where we work. Normally we hear about 10 fatalities on average a month, but in June [] we documented over 20 deaths. - Raj Bhushan, via a Thomas Reuters Foundation study

For their labor, these children (and adults) make 25 to 50 cents per day, depending on the amount of mica they dig up. A kg earns them about 8 cents US. This same kg can sell on the international market for up to $. This money, however limited, is how these families survive. Because of the extremely low wages, the parents depend on the whole family working to put food on the table.

Once the mica is mined, it's then sold through several layers of middlemen and intermediaries, making it very difficult to trace the mica back to its child-labor roots. If you're buying mica from India or Madagascar, it's nearly impossible to be sure that it was obtained ethically or legally.

This lack of visibility or proof of ethical practice is what has informed our own stance on mica.

Our Stance on Mica

We use a combination of natural and synthetic mica. When we use natural mica, we source only from U.S. suppliers with ethical labor standards. We avoid all mica from India or Madagascar where labor standards are unregulated and child labor is rampant.

We choose synthetic mica when we can't vet and guarantee that the source of our mica is child-labor-free. Though it's more expensive, it's worth it to know we are not contributing to any harm on this planet, and especially not to children.

Synthetic mica is also purer and can create a more vibrant color and shine. We balance our ethically-sourced natural mica with this synthetic version to create that perfect balance of depth, texture, shine, and color throughout our eyeshadow palettes.

While we know that mica mining is the livelihood for many families in India, we cannot participate in the suffering and deaths of children, and until that ends, we must remove ourselves from the area. We are pushing for change by supporting mica that is child-labor-free and spreading the truth to consumers and this industry.

Natural vs Synthetic Mica

Synthetic mica is made in a lab and has the same characteristics as natural mica. The differences between natural and synthetic mica are:

The Color:

Synthetic mica is brighter and very uniform in color and finish. Natural mica can be grey or murkier in color. They each create different effects and colors.

The Shape:

Natural mica naturally has uneven edges, whereas synthetic mica has a very smooth surface and shape. This means you can use a much larger particle of synthetic mica since it's smooth and not abrasive like natural mica. The larger the particle, the sparklier a product will appear.

The Sourcing:

Synthetic mica requires no mining and has no potential for child labor.

Contamination:

Natural mica has the potential for contamination with heavy metals and other impurities. Heavy metal levels can be tested before usage in a formula, but this is voluntary and not all brands do.

Why doesn't everyone just switch to synthetic mica?

While synthetic mica alleviates the concerns of illegal mining and child labor, there are several reasons why many cosmetic brands continue using natural:

• Synthetic Mica is much more expensive than Natural Mica.
• The visual effect is different: When you're starting a new product from scratch with synthetic mica, there is no problem. But when you're trying to switch out synthetic for natural in an existing product, it can take some time and experimentation to get it exact.

Currently, the only industries using synthetic mica are the cosmetics sector and a very small portion of the paint industry.

How to know if the mica in your products is natural or synthetic

Natural mica will be listed as: Mica, C1 , or Potassium Aluminum Silicate. Synthetic mica will be listed as either 'Synthetic Mica' or 'Synthetic Fluorphlogopite'.

How can you know if the mica in your beauty products is ethically-sourced?

Ask questions &#; if a brand doesn't clearly state the origins of their mica, send them a message and ask where they source this ingredient from. Let them know this is important to you &#; put it on their radar.

When brands are urged by consumers to be transparent and take these issues seriously, that is where change begins.

Does Industry Know About Illegal + Child Labor Mining?

Definitely, you can see the illegal activity when you look at production numbers vs the actual amounts of mica traded. When the exported numbers are far more than the production values, the difference usually comes from illegal mines &#; and generally, that means child labor.

India for example, officially produces 15,000 tonnes of mica a year, yet it exports 130,000 tonnes. This huge difference is explained by the fact that most of the mica mines in India are illegal and so their numbers are unreported.

Is Progress Being Made to End Child Labor in Mica Mining?

There has been some progress, especially in recent years as this issue was brought into the public eye. In , the Responsible Mica Initiative was established. This group has a goal to 'eliminate child labor unacceptable working conditions in the mica supply chain within the next 5 years.'

Another organization working for change is the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), or Save the Childhood Movement. They work to rescue, rehabilitate, and educate children that have been exploited or abused. They rescue about 400 children from servitude every year - 87,000 children since the s. They also have created 'Child-Friendly Villages' where kids can get an education and aren't expected to work.

While this progress is a step in the right direction, the issue is still monumental and so much has to change for these children and communities.

Support this cause by:

• Voting with your dollars &#; buy from brands that are committed to only using ethical mica in their products.
• Message your other favorite brands to express your concern and urge them to look into their supply chain and commit to ethical sourcing.
• Sign petitions that are working for change in the industry.

Thanks for tuning into our blog beauties! If you have any questions or comments please leave them below or send us an to <3

- ĀTHR Beauty xo

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