Common Name(s): Muscovite mica,sericite,potassium aluminum silicate
CAS Number: 12001-26-2
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides shimmer and pearlescence from flat-platelet mica crystal light reflection.
Why It's Used: Universal cosmetic shimmer ingredient โ mica's flat-platelet morphology provides the directional light reflection responsible for the dimensional shimmer effect in all pearlescent cosmetics.
How It Works: Flat platelets (1-200ฮผm) reflect and refract light specularly producing shimmer. when coated with tio2 or iron oxides, provides colour-shifting pearlescence via thin-film optical interference. natural slip from platelet layering reduces application friction.
Typically Found In: Foundation,eyeshadow,highlighter,blush โ virtually all colour cosmetics
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Colorant โ mineral shimmer pigment
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.01%โ50%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Mica-based pearlescent pigments (mica coated with tio2 or iron oxides) produce colour-shifting optical effects via thin-film light interference โ the same phenomenon as oil on water or butterfly wings. as tio2 coating thickness increases, the interference wavelength shifts from silver โ gold โ red โ violet โ blue โ green, creating the entire pearlescent colour palette from a single mineral substrate by controlling coating thickness.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,eu cosmetics regulation annex iv,cir safety assessment