How to Evaluate the Ingredients in Mineral Makeup

Mineral makeup products boast that they can take years off your image and nourish skin while creating a smooth, youthful visage.

Mineral makeup has become very popular thanks to high profile usage by celebrities and a serious marketing campaign touting the massive benefits of cosmetics comprised wholely or largely of all natural minerals. The advantages to using these types of products are clear, but there are also some very serious health and allergy-related ramifications to using mineral makeup, Before buying, you should evaluate the ingredients in your potential purchase carefully to make sure that the product will meet your needs.

Things You'll Need

• Ingredients list
• List of goals for your makeup

Instructions

1. Look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These minerals are vital ingredients to almost all effective mineral makeups. They form a physical barrier between your skin and solar UVA and UVB rays, giving all mineral makeup products a natural SPF of 15. This sun protection is good for people with sensitive skin who have trouble with oily sunscreens or cannot wear traditional sunscreen products because they inflame skin conditions like acne or rosacea.

2. Check for mica. Mica is a reflective mineral that gives your skin a smooth, natural looking finish while diminishing the signs of aging by reflecting light away from wrinkles. Not all mineral makeup contains mica, but any product promising a decrease in lines or wrinkles should have some in it for a quick fix.

3. Find out amounts and concentrations. Most of the products in mineral makeups have been the backbone for cosmetic recipes for decades. As a result, many cosmetic companies are taking advantage of the recent "hype" about mineral makeup by simply renaming their products. If a product contains minerals like zinc, titanium and mica but only in very small quantities or concentrations, then they likely have either just been added so that the product can have "mineral" added to the name or were part of the recipe to begin with but do not play a major role in the way the cosmetic works.

4. Consider bismuth and talc carefully. Bismuth is a mineral that does not occur naturally in the earth. It provides a glow to many bronzers and finishing powders. Some people love it, while others find that it makes them unbearably itchy. Talc is also a mineral, but its main purpose in cosmetics is to add bulk. A product claiming the benefits of mineral makeup because it contains talc will not likely give you the benefits of mineral makeup.

5. Look for artificial fragrances and colors. Mineral makeup can include artificial ingredients, but the main appeal for most people is the all natural look, feel and composition of these products. The focus on natural ingredients is what helps people with serious skin problems wear and enjoy this type of product, so if you have sensitive skin consider carefully before you buy a mineral makeup with unnatural ingredients.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have serious skin problems or very sensitive skin, consult a dermatologist before trying a new cosmetic product.

Resources

• Learn more about how to use mineral makeup and many different kinds of mineral makeup here.