Natural Claim and Ingredient Listing for Colored Mica Powder
Question
Regarding Mica powder that has been treated to have color:
1. Is processed and colored Mica considered a natural ingredient?
2. Can a product containing colored Mica be claimed as "100% Natural"?
3. How should colored Mica be listed in the ingredient list of soap?
Answer
About Mica Powder in Natural Products
Mica powder is a natural mineral found in rocks. It is processed into a fine powder and coated with various colors to create beautiful shades or effects for use in cosmetics or soap.
Is processed and colored mica considered a natural ingredient?
Based on the definition of "natural," which does not have a strict, universally agreed-upon standard, mica powder, which is a natural mineral, when processed and coated with colors derived from other natural sources, can still be considered an ingredient originating from nature.
Processing natural raw materials, such as extracting substances from plants (like aloe vera extract) or grinding minerals and applying natural color coatings, are processes that make these materials more useful. Generally, these processes do not completely eliminate the "natural" status. It depends on which definition of naturalness is being used.
Can soap containing colored mica be claimed as "100% Natural"?
Claiming "100% Natural" is a very strict assertion and often requires adherence to specific certification standards, which may have varying requirements. However, considering the origin of the raw material (mica is a natural mineral, and the colors used for coating are also from natural sources), such a claim might be possible depending on the criteria of "100% Natural" you intend to convey or reference.
How should it be listed in the soap ingredients?
When listing ingredients in cosmetic products (including soap), it is recommended to use the international system known as INCI Name (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients).
For mica powder, the INCI Name is Mica. Listing just "Mica" in the ingredient list is sufficient and correct according to international principles. Adding the word "mineral" is generally unnecessary as mica is already a type of mineral.
In summary, processed and colored mica powder can still be considered an ingredient derived from nature. Whether a product can be claimed as "100% Natural" depends on the definition and standards you are using. For ingredient listing, the correct INCI Name to use is Mica.
