Is Mica safe in cosmetics?
Mica has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Mica
Also known as: Mica, fluorian, Muscovite
INCI: MICA
Mica (CAS 12001-26-2) is a cosmetic colorant functioning as colorant, opacifier, pearlescent agent. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 12001-26-2 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
colorant, opacifier, pearlescent agent
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permanently listed, exempt from batch certification (21 CFR 73.2496). Permitted in all cosmetics including eye area and dentifrices.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Mica.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Mica, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
0%
Penetration Level
surface
Penetration Depth
surface only
Molecular Weight
Variable Da
Log P
n/a
Systemic Absorption
no
Topical Bioavailability
0%
Safety Margin Factor
none
Source: CIR
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (2)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN | permitted_colorant | - | All cosmetics (Class 1) |
| BR | permitted_colorant | - | Column 1: All products |
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye Shadow | 10–50 | 70 | CIR/VCRP |
| Foundation | 5–20 | 30 | CIR/VCRP |
| Highlighter | 10–60 | 80 | CIR/VCRP |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
colorant_formulator
{"ci_number": "77019", "ci_name": "Mica", "color_category": "white", "color_hex_code": "#F5F5F5", "natural_or_synthetic": "natural", "organic_or_inorganic": "inorganic", "lake_or_dye": "pigment", "fda_approved_use": "lip/eye/general", "eu_approved_cosmetic": "yes", "japan_approved": "yes", "china_approved": "yes", "coverage_opacity": "transparent", "tinting_strength": "low", "lightfastness_rating"…
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "0", "irritancy_rating": "0", "skin_type_suitability": "all,oily,combination,normal", "acne_safe": "yes", "source": "Mineral shimmer"}
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "budget", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "4", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "10", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "0", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "0", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "India/China", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "1000", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "commodity", "substitute_ingredients": "Synthetic Fl…
deodorant
{"cas_number": "12001-26-2", "ingredient_class": "other", "mechanism_of_action": "odor_absorption", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "6-10", "odor_reduction_pct": "25-45", "bacteriostatic": "no", "bactericidal": "no", "microbiome_impact": "neutral", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "varies by ingredient", "MIC_value_if_antimicrobial": "varies", "astringe…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "Variable", "skin_penetration_level": "surface", "penetration_depth": "surface only", "absorption_pct": "0", "systemic_absorption": "no", "penetration_enhancer": "no", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "no", "skin_barrier_effect": "neutral", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "0", "source": "CIR"}
mineral_clay
{"cas_number": "12001-26-2", "ingredient_class": "mica", "chemical_formula": "KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2", "mineral_origin": "natural", "particle_size_range_um": "5-50", "surface_area_m2_per_g": "0.5-5", "crystal_structure": "monoclinic", "color_index_CI_number": "CI 77019", "color_appearance": "white/silver", "opacity": "translucent", "refractive_index": "1.58", "oil_absorption_g_per_100g": "20-40", "wa…
pediatric_safety
{"safe_for_newborn_0_6m": "yes", "safe_for_infant_6_12m": "yes", "safe_for_toddler_1_3y": "yes", "safe_for_child_3_12y": "yes", "safe_for_teen_12_18y": "yes", "pediatric_max_concentration_pct": "unlimited", "adult_max_concentration_pct": "unlimited", "pediatric_dermal_absorption_factor": "minimal", "respiratory_risk_pediatric": "low", "diaper_area_safe": "yes", "pediatric_allergy_prevalence": "low…
ph_stability
{"optimal_ph_min": "3.0", "optimal_ph_max": "10.0", "stable_ph_min": "3.0", "stable_ph_max": "11.0", "ph_dependent_function": "Mineral shimmer", "formulation_note": "Very stable inorganic", "source": "Formulation literature"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-caking agent
Binder
Brightener
Degradant/impurity
Dye
Elasticizer
Filler
Fragrance
No specific technical function
Opacifer
Regulatory List Membership (5)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Mica.
Regulatory Flags
inhalation-risk-powder
trace-heavy-metals
child-labor-supply-chain
cir-deferred-fda-assessed
color-additive
eye-area-permitted
eu_children_restricted
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Mica, fluorian
Muscovite
Chemical Function
Dye
Brightener
Opacifer
Filler
Anti-caking agent
Regulatory Lists
Canada; pharmaceutical
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
pharmaceutical
Personal care
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care - specialized bath products - bath salts
children; Europe; Personal care - dental care - toothpaste
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; Europe
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
IFRA Transparency
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Europe; Personal care - oral and dental care - teeth whitener
Europe; Personal care - oral and dental care - teeth whitener
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in food safety data.
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Mica-based pearlescent pigments
Food Category
colorant
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mica allowed in the EU?
Mica EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Mica do in cosmetics?
Mica functions as: colorant, opacifier, pearlescent agent. It is classified as a Colorant in our database. CAS number: 12001-26-2.
Is Mica used outside cosmetics?
Mica also appears in food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Mica compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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