Mineral Makeup Ingredients
The fine texture of mineral makeup gives great coverage for blemishes and fine lines but the benefits do not stop there. The mix of ingredients varies by brand. Knowing what the most common ingredients are and what they do will help you choose the best mineral makeup products for your skin type.
Titanium Dioxide
One of the most common ingredients in mineral makeup is titanium dioxide. It provides UV protection and is a good sunscreen especially for sensitive skin.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is another natural sunscreen but is used more for its vast palette of colors that is essential in formulating different blushes, eye shadows and foundations. It is good in warding off bacteria and is water-resistant, great for waterproof makeup requirements. Mineral foundation with zinc oxide in them is often recommended for acne and rosacea sufferers due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Mica
Mica, one type of which is sericite, is another common ingredient and is the primary ingredient in some products. Ground up into a silky powder, this mineral is the base for most powder shadows that gives mineral makeup it popular sheen. Its varying luminosity is what gives mineral makeup users a wide range of choices from matte to extremely shimmery. It also helps give the makeup a creamy and smooth feel. However, being translucent, mica needs to be mixed up with other components to make it viable for coverup.
Some mineral makeup brands leave it out of their products due to concerns that it is bioaccumulative and may be damaging to both gastrointestinal and respiratory systems.
Iron Oxide
On mineral makeup labels, iron oxide is sometimes listed as yellow iron oxide, iron oxide pearl powder or black iron oxide just to name a few. Iron oxide is also a bioaccumulative but has been an approved color additive in cosmetics.
Aquamarine / Ultramarines
These colors are basically used to cool down foundations. The pigment is famous for having been more expensive than gold during the Renaissance and was reserved for use in religious paintings, sculptures and manuscripts. Common for eye and cheek colors, ultramarine colors are not approved for use on the lips in the United States. Other sources say that ultramarine is generally a safe pigment because of its low heavy metal content.
Bismuth Oxychloride
Bismuth oxychloride is a translucent mineral with a fair level of absorbency but with good adhesion. Like mica, it is used to add shine to mineral makeup. Its good refraction qualities offer good camouflage on fine lines and minor blemishes. It’s inexpensive ingredient and is a common component in mineral makeup. Unfortunately, this is also the most common cause of skin breakouts from makeup, mineral or not. Matte makeups generally do not contain it.
Boron Nitride
This mineral is commonly used in cosmetic companies’ line of “glows” and “veils” for its light and silky texture. It has average coverage but high adhesion qualities. Boron nitride also has anti-bacterial properties. It is oil-absorbing and glides on smoothly to the skin. Due to these last two qualities it is often included in makeup for acne sufferers.
Talc
Talc is a translucent, silky mineral whose safety is in dispute.. The French Velvet Talc is a form of talc that has been through delamination and is claimed to be safe for cosmetics use. It is exceptionally silky and translucent and less dehydrating than kaolin clay. One should note that there are links between talc and pulmonary issues as well as certain cancers like ovarian and lung. These days, most mineral makeup brands have chosen not to include talc in their products.
Kaolin Clay
Also known as “China clay,” this cosmetic ingredient has been used for centuries for its absorbent properties and astringent effect. It is often used in facial masks. It has average coverage and high adhesion and used in small amounts to increase oil absorption, reducing shine on oily skin. Generally safe, those with dry skin types should avoid using products with kaolin clay to avoid further dehydration.
Tags: bismuth oxychloride, boron nitride, kaolin clay, mineral foundation, mineral makeup ingredients