A group of parallel cleavages can be seen in a photograph of biomica under orthogonal polarized (left) and single polarized (right) mirrors.

Mica Powder for Cosmetics: Inclusivity in Highlighter Formulations

Availability of Mica Flakes for Sale

A group of parallel cleavages can be seen in a photograph of biomica under orthogonal polarized (left) and single polarized (right) mirrors.

X represents large interlayer cations, such as K+, Na+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Rb+, Cs+, etc. Y represents octahedral cations, such as Al3+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Cr3+, Ti4+, Fe3+, etc. Z is mainly Si4+ and Al3+; The ideal ratio of the additional anion (OH)- to (O)2- is 2:10, and (OH)- can be replaced by F- and Cl-. Most mica contain 4% to 5% water. Therefore, although they may be called mica, the chemical composition of different mica may be very different, for the purpose of research, we collectively refer to the minerals with this type of characteristics as mica group minerals.  

The mica variety that does not contain iron is colorless in flakes, and the higher the iron content, the darker the color, and the more polychromatic and absorbable it is. According to the different chemical composition and optical characteristics, mica group minerals can be divided into Muscovite subgroup, biotite-phlogopite subgroup and lemica subgroup. The common mica are biotite, phlogopite, Muscovite and so on.

Once extracted, mica undergoes several processing stages to refine and enhance its properties. The raw mica is first crushed and ground into fine particles, an essential step for its integration into various products. Depending on the intended use, it can be purified to remove impurities, enhancing its value. For instance, in the cosmetics industry, high-purity mica is preferred for its shimmering and reflective qualities used in eyeshadows, blushes, and other beauty products.