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Feb 8, 2010

MINERAL MAKEUP: THE HYPE, THE CLAIMS & …THE TRUTH!

By Kristina Holland-Natural Skin Shop’s skin savvy writer (& biggest fan!)

Mineral makeup! Who hasn’t heard the beauty buzz surrounding mineral makeup? It’s on QVC, the trendiest store shelves and the latest fresh-faced models. So you know there has to be a catch! Truth be told, mineral makeup is nothing new! It’s been around since…well…makeup!

THE MINERAL ‘MAKE UPS’
The basic ingredients of mineral makeup (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mica) are found in almost every traditional form of makeup. So what’s mineral makeup’s bargaining tool? A concentrated dose of skin-illuminating, finely milled minerals with few to none additives. Due to the absence of fragrances, dyes and preservatives, mineral makeup is often marketed towards acne prone or sensitive skin types. Not all formulations, however, are free from the perils of irritation and comedogenicity. Knowing which ingredients are worthwhile and which can “hit the makeup road” are crucial for your complexion’s wellbeing.

MINERAL MAKEUP MANIA
Some people love mineral makeup, while others are left itchy, red and irritated. What gives? Although mineral makeup is formulated to be “all natural”, many natural ingredients can be classified as potential skin irritants. Case in point, mica is an all-natural mineral known for its less than soothing, pore-clogging and irritating properties. Another cause for irritation are the so-called “mineral” imposters. Bismuth oxycholoride, a derivative of lead, copper and chloride, is notorious for its potentially hazardous side effects. Often accountable for the bevy of rashes and cystic acne associated with mineral makeup, bismuth oxycholoride provides no benefits to the skin and is used solely to impart a pearlescent and shimmery appearance. Needless to say, opt for a formulation without this unnecessary and precarious ingredient.

MINERAL MAKEUP MYTHBUSTERS
“Mineral makeup is a foundation and sunscreen in one!”
Some lines do specialize in a powdered form of sunscreen for on-the-go, quick coverage. For the most part, however, mineral makeup (particularly a light application) will not provide substantial broad-spectrum protection from UV radiation. Of course any additional sun protection is helpful against the aging process. For enhanced coverage, apply mineral makeup on top of a broad-spectrum sunscreen such as Peel Rx Green Tea Anti-Aging SPF 30+Moisturizer.

“Mineral makeup is an all-in-one cure and cover-up for acne conditions!”
For some, mineral makeup can heal existing inflammatory acne conditions due to the prevalent concentration of zinc oxide. For others, it can add to the already burgeoning acne dilemma. In the beauty world, there is saying which denotes this very conundrum. YMMV stands for “your mileage may vary” and it couldn’t be more pertinent to the puzzling case of mineral makeup. For a ‘clear’ path to beautiful skin, cleanse thoroughly, sustain adequate dermal hydration and exfoliate on a regular basis. A naturally radiant glow can be ascertained with the aid of lactic acid peels, which smooth skin and reduce blemishes without compromising the lipid barrier. A stronger solution to problematic skin involves the ever-popular glycolic acid peel, which effectively dissolves cellular build-up and residue caused by an excess of cosmetics, surface oils and pollution.

“All mineral makeup is healthy, pure and free from synthetic ingredients!”
This is a false claim, which has led to many makeup-induced skin misdemeanors. Natural Skin Shop advises against trusting the front label of a product regardless of its origin or popular reputation. Take a proactive approach to your skin care regimen and check out the ingredients. If you are reading a novel-like ingredient label, keep hitting the beauty aisle pavement until a truly natural and chemical-free formula is within reach. Decide on a mineral makeup with less than ten ingredients. Fewer ingredients equates to fewer potential allergens!

TO BE CONTINUED…

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