The bright colors and pleasant luster of cosmetics are loved by many consumers. Therefore, the choice of pigments for cosmetics is particularly important in the makeup industry. According to their composition, pigments can generally be divided into organic pigments, inorganic pigments, metallic pigments, and pearlescent pigments. Among them, organic pigments mainly include plant pigments, synthetic dyes, and colorants; inorganic pigments are mainly composed of oxides, mica, and ultramarine and other mineral compounds; metallic pigments are made from ground metal or alloy particles and flakes; pearlescent pigments are formed by applying multiple layers of metal oxides on the surface of the substrate through specific processes.

Although plant pigments in organic pigments are the most natural and safe, the vast majority are not suitable for use in cosmetics. While synthetic dyes and colorants in organic pigments are bright in color, they are harmful to the body. Metallic pigments have a certain metallic luster but are toxic and cannot be used in cosmetics. Inorganic pigments, while safe and low-cost, lack vibrant colors and are difficult to meet consumer demands. In contrast, synthetic mica pearlescent pigments, which are bright and rich in color and meet consumers' desire for "naturalness," show great advantages.

Natural raw materials refer to components obtained from plants, animals, microorganisms, and minerals. Mica is a general term for mica group minerals, one of the main rock-forming minerals, belonging to natural mineral products, and has certain medicinal functions, with a sweet taste and neutral nature. Mica-based pearlescent pigments are natural and harmless, with stable chemical and physical properties, providing certain health guarantees for consumers. According to the International Association of Color Manufacturers, mica-based pearlescent pigments are approved for use as pigment additives in food in the United States. At the same time, because the production process does not generate large amounts of carcinogenic wastewater like organic pigments, it has a small environmental impact and is an environmentally friendly pigment that is a trend for the future, with sustainability.

Without affecting the naturalness and sustainability of cosmetic ingredients, bold and striking colors are what makeup users expect. Unlike the color formation principle of traditional pigment primary colors, mica-based pearlescent pigments effectively solve the problem of color fading through the principle of light interference, while also providing makeup users with a variety of high-saturation and soft-colored options. Pearlescent pigments can present a metallic-like shimmering effect while also producing a soft luster similar to natural pearls, showcasing a colorful array of colors under sunlight, meeting the diverse needs of consumers.

Mica-based pearlescent pigments are now being used by cosmetics companies in various cosmetic bases such as powder, lipstick, eyeshadow, and nail polish. As international beauty brands focus on efficacy and reputation, consolidating brand advantages with long-lifecycle flagship products, healthy, environmentally friendly, and standout mica-based pearlescent pigments are increasingly favored by major brands. According to incomplete statistics from the Liding Industry Research Center, 189 cosmetic colorants under Chanel contain mica, while more than 300 cosmetics in the Estee Lauder brand, which advocates flagship products, also contain mica.