How To Use Mica In Candles, Soap, Bath & Beauty Products

Give your products a little extra shimmer and shine with mica powder. Mica is an all-natural, skin-safe, mineral substance used to give a luxurious shimmer or pigment to products like candles, soaps, bath and body care products, and cosmetics.

Mica comes from being mined, so we’ve made sure ours is ethically sourced and gives back in the best way. If you choose to use our micas, we donate a portion to eradicating child labor, so you can feel good about where it’s coming from.

Makey's mica collection includes copper, gold, blush, lilac, mint, and pearl, plus four shimmer micas in stardust, magenta, and flamingo.  Each of these will give your candle, soap or beauty products a perfect tinted shine. You can also explore six of the colors in this discovery kit.

blush mica	lilac mica	mint mica
copper mica	gold mica	pearl mica
flamingo mica	magenta mica	stardust mica

what is mica?

Mica is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in all kinds of products for centuries. Its shimmering, iridescent effect makes it a popular ingredient in cosmetics, bath bombs, and candles.

If you are a diy lover, you will find that mica powder is an essential ingredient that can add some extra sparkle to your handmade candles and beauty products.

In this blog post, we will explore the uses of mica powder in candles, soap, bath bombs, and beauty products and why it is a must-have in your collection. 

Now, let’s get making with mica!

adding mica to candles

Mica powder is a great way to add color to your candles. Whether you are making candles for personal use or for sale, adding mica powder to your wax will give your candles a beautiful and unique finish.

Mica powder can be added to melted wax and stirred thoroughly to evenly distribute the color. You can also mix mica powder with a small amount of rubbing alcohol to create a liquid dye that can be added to the wax for a more vibrant color.

Two options for how to add mica to your candles:

• Once your candle has cooled completed, layer it at the top for a fun, shimmery look.
• While making your candle, add it to your wax, then pour into your vessel and you'll have a candle that shimmers while burning.

Steps for adding mica to the top of a candle:

When your candle has cooled, dab the tip of your finger into the mica and "paint" it onto your cooled candle wax. As an alternative, you can also use a paintbrush to decorate the top.

Steps for adding mica to candle wax:

Melt your candle wax until it is fully liquified and add a pinch of mica for every 8 ounces of melted wax. A pinch equals 1/32 of a teaspoon which we found is the ideal amount to start with. As you continue experimenting you may decide you like to add more!

A little goes a long way when it comes to mica. If you’re adding mica to your liquified wax, be careful not to dump the whole container as it can clog your wick.

Mica tends to clog cotton wicks easier than wooden wicks so you may have a little more flexibility if you’re using wooden wicks, but still remain mindful of how much you’re using.

adding mica to soap

Mica powder is a popular ingredient in soap making as it can add color, texture, and shimmer to your bars. It is easy to use and can be added to your soap base during the melting process.

One thing to note is that some micas may bleed or morph in high pH (alkaline) environments, so it is important to choose micas that are safe for use in soap making. (Note: all of Makesy's micas are safe for use in soap making.)

Melt & Pour

For melt & pour soap, we recommend using a teaspoon of mica powder per pound of soap. If you want a lighter color, you can start with less. For a more saturated color, add an additional quarter teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired hue.

Cold Process Soap

When using mica in cold process soap, start by dispersing the mica in a lightweight oil like sweet almond oil. Then add the mica to your soap base. We recommend the same ratio here as above (1 teaspoon per pound of soap). Mica won't appear as shimmery in opaque bars but you can also sprinkle mica on top or in between your soap layers.

adding mica to bath bombs

Add a pop of color and sparkle to your bath bombs with mica powder. It can be added to the dry ingredients and mixed thoroughly before adding the wet ingredients.

Mica powder can also be used to decorate the outside of your bath bombs, giving them an extra special touch. You can mix different micas to create a marbled effect or use a single color for a more uniform look.

adding mica to beauty products

Mica powder is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of beauty products, meant for body, eye, lip or face. It adds a beautiful shimmer and is a great way to make your products stand out.

Add it to base ingredients, such as oils or butters, to create a custom color or mix it with other pigments and dyes to create unique shades and effects.

To make your own custom shimmer lip gloss, start with a lip gloss base, blend in one or several lip pigments, and add a mica for shine. 

Mica is also a beautiful addition to body lotions and body oils to give skin a healthy glow.

Start with a light face & body oil base for a body oil or the sun shea body butter base for a ultra-hydrating body lotion. 

tips for using mica

• Use a small amount of mica powder to start and gradually add more until you achieve the desired color or effect.
• When adding mica powder to liquid or oil-based products, make sure to mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
• To prevent clumping, sift mica powder through a fine-mesh sieve before use.
• When using mica powder in bath bombs, be careful not to add too much as it can cause the mixture to fizz prematurely.
• Always make sure to use mica powders that are safe for use in cosmetics and beauty products.

Mica powder is a fantastic ingredient to add to your diy products. Whether you are making candles, soap, bath bombs, or beauty products, mica powder can add a beautiful shimmer and unique finish to your creations.

With its versatility and ease of use, it's no wonder that mica powder is a favorite among diy enthusiasts. So, go ahead and add some sparkle to your next project with mica powder!