Micas
Micas are mineral pigments that contain mica, oxides, and ultramarines. Sparkling pigments remain most effective in an environment where they can reflect light: in transparent soap bases and decorative cosmetics.
Using Mica
Up to 0.5% of the soap weight in transparent soap base
Up to 2% of the soap weight in white soap base
In homemade soap: 1-5% of the total weight of the soap. Many purples or purple undertones such as purple, blueberry, violet, and hot pink mica are not suitable for use in homemade pumice stone soap because they change color at high pH. You can find this information on the mica product page.
In cosmetic products, mica can be used both with water (creams) and without water (ointments, scrubs, lip products). However, in liquid mixtures, mica sinks to the bottom of the product (e.g. liquid soap). Teal, apple green, lime and turquoise mica are not suitable for lip products.
Mica colors are natural dyes
Micas are mineral pigments composed of mica, oxides, and ultramarines. Mica is a light-reflecting stone that gives mica its sparkle. Oxides and ultramarines are dyes found in the earth's crust, which can be combined to create an infinite number of colors. The mica paints sold at Relumee do not contain synthetic dyes.
Compared to vegetable dyes, mineral dyes are more stable and vivid and less sensitive to UV radiation and oxidation. Sparkling pigments are most effective when they can reflect light in transparent soap mass, decorative cosmetics, and decorating various surfaces.
The use of mica in cosmetics
In cosmetic products, micas give a nice sparkle. They can be used both with water (creams) and without water (ointments, scrubs, lip products) in cosmetic products. However, in liquid mixtures, mica sinks to the bottom of the product (e.g. liquid soap). Use of micas in lip balm Light pink and dark pink mica Pink micas are also suitable for tinting soap like other colors, but in the example photo, mica is used in a lip balm.
Light pink and dark pink mica is used in the photo, but you can find other shades suitable for lipstick in the selection. In the lip balm, the micas give the lips a nice shine. If you want a more covering and intense shade of lipstick, add a little titanium dioxide or pigment colors to the lip balm. Titanium dioxide makes the color lighter and more covered. By adding red, black or brown pigment, you can make the shade darker and deeper. By combining different shades of mica and pigment colors, you can get hundreds of different color variations.
The use of micas in melt-and-pour soap base
Micas mix easily with soap base, but to avoid unexpected lumps, it is better to mix mica with a small amount of soap, a drop of oil or glycerin beforehand. Since it is fine-grained mica, it does not settle to the bottom of the soap mass and the soap remains very uniform in tone.
The mica remains particularly sparkling and intensely colored in the transparent soap mass. We recommend using a maximum of 5 g per 1 kg of soap base. Using a larger amount will no longer intensify the color. A significantly smaller amount has been used for the samples below. By adding just tiny amount of mica, it is possible to maintain the transparency of the soap base, but with a larger amount, the soap base is no longer transparent.
White soap bases contains titanium dioxide, which makes all colors more pastel. Since the opacity of the soap base, mica in the soap cannot reflect the light, and its sparkle disappears. To get a stronger colour in wihte soap base, you can use up to 20 g per 1 kg of soap base.
You can successfully use micas to make layered or multi-colored soaps. Since mica does not dissolve in water, there are no problems with color migration. However, you can mix the colors together before adding them to the soap to get new shades.
The samples shown in the photo are made of transparent soap base with orange and lime green mica.
The samples shown in the photo are made of transparent soap base with gold and silver mica.
Darker blue, yellow, and green soaps are made from a transparent soap base. Yellow and turquoise mica are mixed together in green soap - the result is an effective leafy green tone. The lighter blue soap is made from a white soap base.
Three samples on the left are made of transparent soap base. By mixing red and blue mica, the result is a purple shade (the second soap from the left in the photo). The blue soaps are made with the same amount of blue mica, one from transparent and the other from white soap base. Due to the white color of goat's milk soap, the soap is much lighter.
Mica in homemade soap
In homemade soap, the sparkle of mica disappears the same way as in a white soap base. To get a strong color, the quantity must be 1-5% of the total weight of the soap. Using mica to decorate the surface of the soap gives a more economical result in homemade soap. To do this, mix the mica with an equal amount of sweet almond oil into a paste. You can also use some other liquid oil. Once the soap is poured into the mold, pour the mica mixture onto the surface of the soap. With the help of a grill stick, you can form different patterns and swirls. In order for mica to attach to the surface of the soap, the soap must still be soft and "wet".
Not all micas are suitable for use in homemade soap because their color is unstable at high pH. This category mainly includes various purples and colors with purple undertones. You can find the corresponding information on the product page.
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