Wondering how those sparkly candles and soaps are made? They were likely designed with mica powder to create those shimmering details. Mica powder is a versatile ingredient that can add shimmer, color, and texture to your creations.

You’ll be surprised how easy it to bring some creative sparkle to your work simply by using this ingredient.

What is Mica and is it Safe?

Mica is a group of natural minerals that are ground into fine powder. It has a layered, crystalline structure that reflects the light, creating a glimmering effect. Powdered mica comes in a wide range of colors, including pearl, copper, gold, lilac, mint, beige, and many more.

Mica powder is generally considered safe but it's essential to use cosmetic-grade mica to ensure purity and quality.

Using Mica in Soaps

Incorporating mica into your melt-and-pour soap recipes is straightforward and there’s plenty of room for creative experimentation.

• For even distribute add mica powder directly to your melted soap base and stir until distributed. If you notice bubbles in your mixture, simply spritz some alcohol and continue mixing. This method ensures consistent sparkly accent throughout the soap.
• For surface design, dust mica powder onto the surface of your soap molds before pouring in the soap mixture. This technique allows for artistic freedom and results in beautifully decorated soap bars.

For cold process soaps, mix one teaspoon of mica powder with avocado oil to create a dispersed mica. Add 1 dispersed mica for every pound of soap. Keep in mind that micas may morph with cold process soap, so test the dispersed volume until you achieve the desired shimmer.

Using Mica in Candles

Mica can add a pop of color and sparkle to both the wax and the candle's exterior.

For colored candles with even shimmer, melt the wax and stir in the desired amount of mica powder until evenly dispersed. If you only want to decorate the surface, dust mica powder onto the surface of finished candles or mix it with a clear wax coating for a shimmering finish. To create marbling or swirls, infuse mica into your recipe and layer different colored waxes to achieve your desired design.   

A word of caution: The fine particles in mica powder can clog the wick, resulting in a smaller flame. To avoid this issue, use only a small amount of the powder relative to the total amount of wax.

What is your next project?

There is so many ways you can incorporate mica powder in soap and candles. Experiment with different methods and have fun exploring the endless possibilities of this versatile ingredient.