The Different Types of Mica and Which Is Body-Safe

Nature is full of rocks and minerals that humans have used in various ways throughout history. Mica is a natural group of minerals that contain hexagonal crystals that people have used in pottery, cosmetics, electronics, and more for hundreds of thousands of years. There are different types of mica that lend themselves better to these different uses. Keep reading to learn about the different types of mica and which is body-safe, so you can know what type of mica is best for your homemade body supplies.

Types of Mica

There are many kinds of mica, but the three most popular are muscovite, phlogopite, biotite. Muscovite is a silicate, a rock-forming mineral also frequently described as a salt and is primarily made of aluminum and potassium. It is the most common form of mica and frequently develops in smooth, durable sheets. This type of mica is found in almost every type of electronic we currently have, as it makes a great insulator. Ground muscovite is also a common ingredient in beauty products.

Phlogopite has lots of magnesium, as well as significant amounts of iron in it, which gives it the red-brown color that inspired its name. We can use phlogopite in environments that reach almost 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and it wears evenly, which makes it a popular choice as a separator in commutators and as an electrical insulator.

Biotite is even darker than phlogopite and is a rock mineral commonly found in igneous rocks such as granite. Unlike muscovite, we rarely find biotite in sheets and even struggle to find well-formed biotite crystals, since the high levels of iron in it often lead to impurities. Because of this, we frequently use biotite in powdered form in various industries, especially construction.

Body-Safe Mica

As we mentioned above, muscovite is the type of mica that we see in beauty products. It is skin-safe and used in cosmetics to add a natural shimmer and shine. The unique shine is its most important cosmetic quality as it has very little color, unlike the other types of mica we described. Cosmetic and body product manufacturers who want to use muscovite for its natural shine often have to add pigments if they want to achieve a colorful shine. Depending on where you’re buying your mica powder from, you should check that the pigments and the mica are both skin-safe.

Muscovite Uses

Since muscovite mica is safe for us to use on our bodies, you can use this type of mica however you see fit. Many people use colored mica powder in cosmetics, as we mentioned above, but you can add it to homemade lotion, bath bombs, and other body products.

The different types of mica are muscovite, phlogopite, and biotite. Muscovite is body safe and a popular cosmetics ingredient. If you’re looking for skin-safe colored mica powders like red mica powder, Eye Candy Pigments can help. Our red selection, as well as other colored mica powder selections, provide the best colors for your creative projects.