FSS Powdered Mother of Pearl

INCI: Mother of Pearl

Use Levels: 1.0% - 5.0%

Solubility: Insoluble in Water 

Appearance: White powder

Nacre, also known as mother of pearl, is a naturally-occurring organic-inorganic composite. Nacre is composed of hexagonal platelets of aragonite (calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystals) that are 10-20 μm wide and 0.5 μm thick, arranged in a continuous parallel lamina. The layers of platelets are separated by sheets of organic matrix that are composed of elastic biopolymers (such as chitin, lustrin and silk-like proteins). This mixture of brittle platelets and the thin layers of elastic biopolymers makes the material strong and resilient. Strength and resilience are also likely to be due to adhesion by the "brickwork” arrangement of the platelets, which inhibits transverse crack propagation. This design at multiple-length sizes increases its toughness enormously, making it almost equivalent to that of silicon.

The iridescent appearance of the nacre is due to the fact that the thickness of the aragonite platelets is about 0.5 micrometers, which is comparable to the wavelength of visible light. This results in constructive and destructive interference of different wavelengths of light, resulting in different colors of light being reflected at different viewing angles. 

Nacre is secreted by the epithelial cells of the mantle tissue of certain species of mollusk. In these mollusks, nacre is continually deposited onto the inner surface of the animal’s shell (the iridescent nacreous layer, commonly known as mother of pearl), both as a means to smooth the shell itself and as a defense against parasitic organisms and damaging detritus. The iridescent inner layer is considered highly attractive by many cultures and is often used in making jewelery or as inlays in wood furniture and fret inlays for guitars. 

When a mollusk is invaded by a parasite or is irritated by a foreign object that the animal cannot eject, a process known as encystation entombs the offending entity in successive, concentric layers of nacre. This process eventually forms what we call pearls and continues for as long as the mollusk lives. Chief sources are the pearl oyster, found in warm and tropical seas, primarily in Asia; freshwater pearl mussels, which live in many rivers of the United States, Europe, and Asia; and the abalone of California, Japan, and other Pacific regions. 

Due to the small particle size of FSS Powdered Mother of Pearl, it can easily be incorporated into a variety of skin and hair care formulations. FSS Powdered Mother of Pearl can provide gentle exfoliation for sensitive skin especially around the eyes and lips. FSS Powdered Mother of Pearl may provide optical effects enhancing the luster of skin and hair.

Storage: Protected from direct light and humidity at a temperature of 50°-77°F (10°-25°C) 

Shelf life: 12 months, properly stored, in sealed container. 

This product should be added to a formulation at the recommended usage rated.