Micas are natural ground minerals coated with titanium dioxide for a shimmer effect. They are considered safe to use in cosmetics and personal care products and are often found in makeup, nail and skin care products (source: http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient_details.php?ingredient_id=607).
Go to Mica (score: 2 - low hazard) in Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database for details on potential health concerns associated with this ingredient.
* IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please read our terms of use and this warning - Information on ingredients used in cosmetic products appearing on this blog (part of SHE 2.0) is not intended to be, nor should be interpreted as, advice or recommendation concerning the use of any cosmetic product. If you have questions about your use of a cosmetic product, please review the labeling appearing on the product and/or consult a physician.
Here in the US, we count on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to protect the general public from harmful chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products, just as it does for nearly all food products - unfortunately, this is not true.
Although cosmetics are regulated by the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, the same branch of the FDA that regulates food, the agency isn’t authorized to approve cosmetic products or ingredients before they are released to the market. Furthermore, it doesn’t require manufacturers to perform pre-market safety tests on their own products.
What this means for the general public is that the burden is on us - you and I - to understand the various ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products and to know which ones to shun away from and which ones are more natural and better for your health. For this reason, I have created a new category “Ingredients 101″ to share what I am learning along the way. I am starting with very little knowledge, and invite you to join me on this critical journey together. At any time, please feel free to share your knowledge and/or comments!
P.S. Please note that a new field titled “Ingredients List:” has also been added to the “Add a new product” form so we can all apply what we learn right away and pick safer products for ourselves and our loved ones.
