How do Micas and Oxides compare?

[OklahomaJamie]

I've used oxides quite a bit to color my cp soaps. Can someone tell me what the difference is in micas and oxides and why one would be used over the other?

Also, can you also dust the tops of bars with mica? or is that just glitter that you use for that?

Thanks!

 

[lsg]

I use oxides and ultramarines along with cp safe micas. Many micas don't make it through the saponifcation process, so make sure the supplier specifies the micas can be used in cp soap.

 

[judymoody]

Oxides give a more intense color so you can use less, in my experience, and are less likely to morph. Looking at my micas, many of them have titanium dioxide as a principal ingredient. As lsg said, not all are suitable for CP.

Yes, you can dust your soap tops with mica.

 

[lpstephy85]

I dusted a CP patch over the weekend and somehow bumped it and it smeared. The smear looked like I bronzed the top and it was gorgeous! Micas in CP are very iffy. Every one I have tried has morphed on me. Not to anything ugly but it wasn't what I wanted. In HP, since you are adding after it has saponified, the same ones have not morphed. Also in HP, the shimmer of the micas come out more then in CP.


Sent from my iPhone using Soap Making

 

[newbie]

I prefer micas because they don't bleed like some of the oxides do into the suds and water. There are loads of micas that don't morph but you do have to be careful to check into that before you buy. They will not keep their shimmer in CP soap because of CP soap's opacity but their basic color will come through (if CP safe). Also I've used TKB's neons liquid colors and those don't bleed either. It's personal preference. If you are interested in micas, people have had good experiences with TKB, Conservatorie and Celestial..... something. Glen likes that place and now I can't remember the second part of the name. You can always ask on here if people have had problems or morphing with a specific color.

 

[savonierre]

I too prefer micas, have just purchased micas from nuturesoapmolds on Etsy, they mimic the tkb pop micas and are getting great reviews.

 

[lsg]

By the way TKB has Fluorescent Micas that are supposed to be stable in cp soap.

http://www.tkbtrading.com/item.php?item_id=1545

 

[shunt2011]

I use mica, oxides and ultramarines with mostly good experiences. As stated by others you do need to check the sites to make sure they are stable in high PH/CP soaping. I have also used the Fluorescents and Neons from TKB and they are awesome. I am patiently waiting for my new colorantes to come from nuture soap supplies as there has been nothing but raves over how they perform in CP. They should be arriving today...yay!

 

[renata]

Does anyone know this site? http://www.u-makeitup.com/
I'm interested in micas...

 

[kazmi]

Does anyone know this site? http://www.u-makeitup.com/
I'm interested in micas...

I didn't see any mention whether they are stable in high ph. So it would be a leap of faith if you wanted to try them in cp.

 

[Candybee]

I use the rainbow micas from Nurture Soaps and high PH tolerant micas from TKB Trading. Like others said, you just have to look for the ones recommended for CP. I have good success with these.

I also use oxides but I have been gradually switching to micas. I find that even small amounts of oxides can discolor water and I don't want my customers to have discolored water. They do color soap nicely you just have to remember that a little goes a long way.