Mineral Make Up – a cosmetic evolution.

As a skin care specialist and someone that has suffered from skin problems in the past I am always looking for quality cosmetics and make up that minimise the impact of synthetic chemicals while at the same time support skin health. With commercial foundations this has always been difficult. Despite their ability to “cover up” many foundations contain a raft of chemical ingredients that actually worsen skin conditions such as acne and rosacea, irritate sensitive skin and significantly contribute to pore congestion.

One solution to these cosmetic issues is professional mineral make up. Relatively new to the skin care market, mineral make up emerged from the US about 5 years ago. Since then, a number of Australian brands have brought out quality mineral make up ranges which have proven to be highly effective replacements to conventional liquid, powder and crème foundations.

A key feature of professional mineral make up is its purity. Genuine mineral make up contains none of the potentially toxic or occlusive ingredients of conventional foundations such as mineral oils, fragrances, colours, preservatives and petrochemicals. For this reason mineral make up is of enormous benefit to those with skin sensitivities as well as reducing the overall toxic load for all users.

Based primarily on titanium or zinc oxide mineral make up contains less ingredients in general thereby avoiding fillers such as talc, used to “bulk” out the formulations. As an ingredient, talc it is very cheap so offers great profit margin for producers, however it offers no benefit for the skin and can in fact cause problems. The main disadvantages of talc as a cosmetic ingredient is its comedogenic effect which means it will clog skin and block pores. Those particularly affected by this will be people with acne, pimples, rosacea and anyone who has undergone cosmetic treatments. Talc can also have an occlusive effect on the skin, trapping heat and toxins and eventually interrupting the normal function of the skin.

Rather than sinking into or filling pores, mineral make up sits on the surface of the skin allowing the skin to breathe properly. The pigment in mineral make up is generally iron oxides or mica combined with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide which very effectively covers redness, sun damage and blemishes without contributing to congestion or stopping the skin from breathing. The other advantage is that the dense pigment of the minerals gives full coverage to skin conditions without looking unnatural or heavy on the skin. These features mean mineral make up provides ideal coverage for those with the above mentioned skin conditions.

Another benefit of the mineral sitting on top of the skin means that it doesn’t fill up lines and wrinkles thereby making them more noticeable. The minerals overlap like fish scales and don’t fall into fine giving a “soft-focus” look to the skin.

Professional mineral make up is generally a dry powder, either pressed or loose. This can take some getting used to after liquid foundations however, when applied correctly, that is within 5 minutes of using a moisturiser, mineral make up goes onto the skin smoothly and settles down so that any powdery look quickly disappears. Within 5 minutes of application, a professional mineral make up feels weightless and looks soft on the skin.

The key ingredients in mineral make up, Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are also commonly found in chemical-free sunscreens and offer protection from UVA/UVB rays. Use of these ingredients gives mineral make-up broad spectrum sunscreen protection. While the sunscreen protection can be quite high (up to the equivalent of 30 SPF) it is important to note that most mineral make up foundations aren’t therapeutic products which means that they haven’t been specifically tested for sun protection (unless otherwise stated). Useful as day to day protection, alternative sunscreens should be used for extended sun exposure.

One note of caution is that not all mineral make ups are the same. While professional mineral make up is generally very pure, some commercial mineral make up may contain talc and other potentially irritating chemical ingredients. The best way to choose a mineral make up is to read the ingredient listing on the label of the product. It is an Australian labelling requirement that all cosmetics contain a full list of ingredients so avoiding talc should be easy. If you want to ensure your mineral make up is as natural as possible avoid those with talc (known comedogenic), bismuth oxychloride (known allergen and irritant) and parabens (potential toxicity issues).

Easy to apply, mineral make up is long lasting and ideal for anyone with sensitive skin, allergies, skin conditions such as rosacea, acne, pigmentation or uneven skin tone as well as those that want a natural, high performance foundation.

Mineral Make Up Benefits

• Does not clog pores
• Gives full coverage for skin conditions
• Allows skin to breathe
• Pure minerals are ideal for sensitive skin
• Minimises soft lines & wrinkles
• Easy to apply
• May offer sun protection from UVA/UVB rays
• Feels weightless