What Is Mineral Makeup?

It seems as if every major beauty and makeup line is coming out with a mineral makeup product. The most popular items are usually the foundation and bronzing products, but minerals are also used in eye shadows, mascaras, and lip color. Makers of mineral makeup claim that it’s healthier for skin and will leave you looking younger, your complexion brighter and smoother.

What exactly is mineral makeup and does it live up to the company claims?

Mineral Makeup is made from the minerals mica, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide. These are the same ingredients that foundation makeup has been made of for years. Experts are divided on whether the mineral makeup is in fact better for your skin.  Some believe that the ingredients are no more pure than traditional makeup, while other experts, manly dermatologists, say that it’s a safer bet for sensitive skin because it’s free from fragrance, binders, synthetic dyes, and preservatives.

Of the ingredients in mineral makeup, zinc oxide is known to be calming for inflammatory conditions like acne or rasacea. In these cases, mineral makeup can be a real blessing. I can say that my own experience supports this claim. I still have breakouts and a bit of redness on my chin. I can use mineral makeup and it diffuses the redness and does not aggravate my breakouts.

On the other hand some mineral makeups contain the ingredient bismuth oxychloride. It’s not from the Earth, instead it’s a byproduct of lead and copper processing.  It can irritate skin and cause cystic acne as well as aggravate rosacea. If you have sensitive skin, look for a formula that does not contain bismuth oxycholoride.

Many mineral makeups claim to have an SPF because of the use of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in the formula. I always use an additional sunscreen. People put their makeup on differently. Some women need a heavy coverage, while others are looking to cover only problem areas. A separate sunscreen will ensure that you are getting the SPF coverage you need, no matter how much makeup you apply.

Another claim many companies make is that their makeup is safe to sleep in. Don’t buy it. Do not sleep in your makeup. Wash and moisturize every night. That’s the only way to maintain truly healthy skin.

Image credit: Michelle Smith