MICA, AquaPearls, Snowball, 10 g

Mica AquaPearls Snowball is a pearlescent pigment made from mica that brings a silver-white pearlescent shimmer to soap, bath bombs, rinse-off cosmetics and candles. It does not dissolve but disperses in the mass, with light reflected by tiny mica platelets coated with titanium dioxide. The result is a cool, snowy, sparkling effect.

In a light base it adds a pearlescent sheen; in a darker mass it creates a contrasting sparkle. As a cosmetic colorant it meets the requirements of Annex IV of the Cosmetics Regulation.

How the pigment behaves in the mass

• Insoluble in water or oil – it remains in the mass as solid particles, so it does not dissolve but disperses. It disperses in both water and oil systems, but in thin liquids it will sediment after standing for a longer time.
• Particle size 10 – 125 µm – a wide range from fine to coarser platelets that gives visible sparkle, not just a satin veil.
• Thermal stability up to 800 °C – the pigment withstands the hot soap-making process, molten wax and incorporation into the oil phase hot without any change in shade.
• pH 7.0 – 10.0 – the value of the pigment itself. For formulations with a significantly different pH, verify the shade on a test sample.
• Oil absorption 60 – 90 g per 100 g – the powder binds a large amount of oil. In oil pastes, therefore, allow for a greater quantity of liquid component than may seem necessary at first glance.

Use in formulation

The pigment is added as an additional component, usually at the end of production. Before incorporation, it is mixed into a small amount of oil or other liquid component of the formulation to prevent clumping. Only this paste is then mixed into the mass. Dosage is determined by the desired intensity of shimmer. Start with a small amount and add according to the result; excess pigment in a thin mass will sediment.

In soap it is used both throughout the entire mass and for surface decoration, where it is applied as dry powder with a brush or mixed with a small amount of oil. In melt-and-pour soap, it is mixed into the melted base just before pouring so that the particles disperse evenly and do not have time to sink to the bottom.

In bath bombs and salts, the pigment is mixed with the dry ingredients before moistening. In water it disperses and creates a pearlescent veil on the surface. For salts, simply mix it with the salt, or with a drop of oil to help the powder adhere to the crystals.

In rinse-off cosmetics – shower gels, scrubs and shampoos – it is added at the end to the finished base. The sparkle is most visible in a clear base. With thin gels, allow for sedimentation and adjust the viscosity of the base.

In candles, the pigment is used mainly for surface decoration or in the top decorative layer. If you incorporate it into the entire mass of a container candle, test burning on a trial piece and check the wick behaviour. In hobby and artistic work it is suitable for decorative blends and soap patterns. The procedure is the same: the pigment is first mixed into a portion of the liquid component.

What is good to know

• Lumps in the mass – if they appear, it was due to missing pre-mixing in the liquid component, not insufficient mixing time.
• Sedimentation – in thin liquids the particles sink to the bottom. A higher viscosity of the base helps, or adding the pigment just before pouring or filling.
• Combining with other colorants – compatibility is unrestricted; the silver-white shade can be mixed with coloured micas and other pigments. Verify the resulting shade on a sample.
• Rinse-off use – the pigment is intended for rinse-off products, soaps, bath blends and candles.

The pigment is not of animal origin, has not been tested on animals and no nanomaterials are used in its production.

Frequently asked questions