Mineral makeup’s been getting a lot of hype—mainly because it’s supposed to be gentler on the skin, and how it seems to create a very natural glow. But how much of mineral makeup’s supposed benefits are true, and how much of it is just a product of very smart marketing? Here are the facts on mineral makeup, to help you decide whether or not it’s worth the price tag, and what to expect for your money.
What is mineral makeup?
Mineral makeup, as the name implies, is made from natural minerals that have been ground to a very fine powder. It supposedly contains none (or at less) of the chemicals and dyes found in your usual makeup products. Today, you can find mineral foundation, eyeshadow, blush and bronzer.
Benefits of mineral makeup
Mineral makeup doesn’t contain any magic ingredient that heals the skin. Its core ingredients, such as mica and titanium dioxide, are used in most makeup. However, it doesn’t have fragrances or binders that may irritate the skin. It may also be beneficial for people who have acne, since titanium oxide has anti-inflammatory properties, and it doesn’t clog pores. Titanium oxide is also used in sunscreen, so it does have some sun protection (but not enough that you don’t need additional sunscreen).
Mineral makeup’s powder formulation also makes it easier for women to choose (or at least mix) shades that approximate their natural skin tone.
Disadvantages of mineral makeup
Some people say that the colors can look ashy on darker skin tones. Others complain that it can dry the skin, and may accentuate wrinkles.
And mineral makeup isn’t something you can apply in the car. You need to pour a bit of the powder he lid of the container, and use a kabuki brush or a large fluffy brush to apply.
Scientists are also wary of how companies are pulverizing minerals to nanoparticle size—and many molecules tend to behave differently when it’s that small. Some can even be toxic, or at least, have not been cleared for safe application by the Food and Drug Association.
Is it really mineral makeup?
So far there is no set definition of what actually constitutes an authentic mineral makeup. So it’s possible for a product to be labeled as ‘mineral’ (jumping on the consumer assumption that it is natural) and still contain paraben preservatives, binders, colors, and other fillers.
And even big mineral makeup brands use bismuth oxychloride, a synthetic mineral that creates a soft glow. This can cause rashes and aggravate acne, the complete opposite of what consumers expect to find in a mineral makeup.
Photo from makeupminerals.blogspot.com