Latest Trends: Mica in Beauty Products

The latest trend in makeup and other beauty products is the addition of mica to enhance skin tone and create a shimmering effect. Although beautiful, what exactly is mica and what effects does it have on your skin? Inadvertently, I purchased a skin lotion with the addition of mica the other day. I didn't realize, until I got it home and used some, that the mica was actual small glittery pigments that didn't just make my skin glow, but adhered to pretty much anything and everything that I touched!

What exactly is mica? It is a mineral that is part of a silicate group that forms crystals. Mica is shiny and has a brilliant appearance. It is used for many things from insulators in stoves, to assisting with metal conductors, to use in beauty products. Because of its shiny properties, mica is ground down and used to create pearlescent makeup and added to lotions and mineral makeup. Mica has been used for hundreds of years for decorative purposes, even being found added to paint pigments in ancient civilizations. The wonders of mica have been used and known about for many years.

What does mica do for your skin? It helps mask imperfections and creates a glowing shine on your skin. The addition of mica to products helps reflect light from the skin, creating a shimmering effect. With the new trends in makeup being mineral blends, mica is one of the main ingredients found. It helps stabilize color and add that shiny shimmer. The problem is, some skin types aren't compatible, and breakouts can happen.

More and more, mica is turning up in other products ranging from toothpastes to skin lotions. Wanting glowing healthy skin is something every woman wants, but a mica enhanced skin lotion isn't necessarily going to provide it. If you're like me, you find a product you like and stick with it. Sometimes the brand you favor changes the regular routine with a "new" product or a "special" ingredient. Such was the case with my usual skin lotion.

After applying my lotion with the new and improved mica formula, I was at first wowed with the glittering glow of my skin. When I observed it up close, it was as if I had hundreds of millions of the smallest dots of glitter all over. My hands were covered and even after washing my hands several times, the glitter was still there. I found the mica transferred to my clothes, my bed sheets, and even my young baby! Everything was covered in miniscule glitter bits! I was overwhelmed. My desire for glowing skin had turned into a shimmering nightmare.

My skin didn't have any negative reactions, although I didn't care for the smell of my new mica enhanced lotion, and applied perfume on top of the lotion to cover it. The scent seemed to fight it's way through and became a touch overwhelming. I might pull the lotion out for a fun occasion or party, but for everyday wear, I am heading back to the store for the regular un-mica lotion.

Mica is a great mineral and a fun beauty product addition, but be warned, it may take over your home! Use a small amount of any new beauty product on a test area of your skin to make sure you wont have a negative reaction. I think I will stick to some mica enhanced eye-shadow for now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mica