Mica
INCI · Mica
Overview
A naturally occurring mineral ground into fine platelets that reflect light. In skincare it is what makes a product look luminous on skin, and in makeup it is the base of most shimmer and many pearlescent finishes.
Who it's for
Anyone using a tinted moisturiser, primer or sunscreen with a radiant finish — the glow is optical, sitting on the surface rather than changing the skin under it.
Cautions
Its effect is cosmetic and momentary: it makes light behave differently, which is not the same as improving skin. Sourcing has been the subject of sustained reporting on labour conditions in some mining regions, which is why many brands now state where their mica comes from or use a synthetic equivalent.
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What does Mica do in skincare?
A naturally occurring mineral ground into fine platelets that reflect light. In skincare it is what makes a product look luminous on skin, and in makeup it is the base of most shimmer and many pearlescent finishes.
Is Mica considered safe for skin?
Its effect is cosmetic and momentary: it makes light behave differently, which is not the same as improving skin. Sourcing has been the subject of sustained reporting on labour conditions in some mining regions, which is why many brands now state where their mica comes from or use a synthetic equivalent.