Preventing Mica Settling in Lip Gloss
Question
I added [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/mica-pearl-%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%81/558-so-red-mica.html:2886ue6s]So Red Mica[/url:2886ue6s] to Lip Gloss during mixing. The color and pearlescent shimmer mixed well, so I filled it into tubes. After letting it sit, the mica settled at the bottom of the tube. How can I make the color uniform and prevent settling? Or should I switch to another type of colorant that can dissolve in the Lip Gloss base and won't settle when left standing?
Answer
Solution for Mica Settling in Lip Gloss
It's common for mica pigments like So Red Mica to settle in liquid formulations such as lip gloss because they are solid particles that are suspended, not dissolved. The settling occurs over time due to gravity.
To prevent or minimize this settling and keep the color evenly dispersed, you can try the following methods:
- Use a Suspending Agent: Incorporate ingredients specifically designed to keep particles suspended. These agents increase the yield value of the formulation, creating a gel-like structure that holds the mica in place. Examples include fumed silica, bentonite clays, or certain synthetic polymers.
- Increase Base Viscosity: A thicker lip gloss base can help slow down the settling of mica particles. Ensure your base has sufficient viscosity to support the pigment load.
- Optimize Mixing: While initial mixing disperses the mica, ensuring it is fully wetted and uniformly distributed without aggregates is important. However, the long-term stability relies more on the base formulation's ability to suspend.
If you switch to a different type of colorant that dissolves in the lip gloss base, such as a cosmetic dye (e.g., D&C or FD&C dyes), it will not settle. However, dyes provide transparent color and will not give you the pearlescent or shimmering effect that comes from the reflective properties of mica pigments. If the pearlescent effect is desired, modifying the base to suspend the mica is the appropriate solution.
Therefore, the recommended approach is to adjust your lip gloss formulation by adding a suitable suspending agent or increasing the base viscosity to maintain the dispersion of So Red Mica particles.
