Beauty by Nature: Mineral Cosmetics

Non-toxic makeup has become more popular than ever.Many major brands now offer lots of mineral makeup options such as foundations, blush and more. 

Mineral makeup is popular because it is non-toxic with only basic minerals to give tint.  It is also popular because it has anti-inflammatory properties and can prevent breakouts.  Mineral makeup is made from naturally occurring minerals like iron oxides, mica powder and titanium dioxide.  This means that what goes on your skin is made from what is found in nature and is not a chemical cocktail.  Another plus to using makeup is the sun protection it can provide.  Bare Minerals is one of the companies that features the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of approval as a sunscreen.  This is due mostly to the high content of the minerals that are natural sunscreens such as zinc oxide.  Mineral makeup is becoming more widely available in stores everywhere.

Earthy Essences is vegan friendly, certified cruelty-free, uses certified organic ingredients, recyclable plastics for packaging and is in the process of switching to corn-based labels.  This means that you are assured that the labels can biodegrade when they reach the landfill. 
   
There are a few things to watch out for when buying mineral makeup.  Bismuth oxychloride, a common ingredient in mineral makeup, is a filler.  If there is a filler, this usually means it will be one of the first ingredients on the list.  Makeup of reputable quality will avoid using fillers as much as possible.  It can also give mineral makeup a pearlescent shimmer.  Bismuth oxychloride is not found in nature.  It is a combination of copper and other minerals that can only be combined in a lab.  However, current laws allow mineral makeup to incorporate any combination of minerals, allowing marketers to call it a natural ingredient. The main issue with bismuth oxychloride is that it can cause irritation to extremely sensitive skin.  The best way to watch for this is to read labels carefully.  There is a difference between “all mineral” and “mineral.”  It is also noteworthy that mica, while being a true mineral, may be irritating to sensitive skin prone to acne because it is a little bit rough.

Overall, EnviroCitizen.org has found that mineral makeup is a good product for most women.  Just like any other makeup product, every woman is going to have a different opinion about which brand is best.  Fortunately, mineral makeup is available for every price range and some lines make the decision process easier by selling samples. 
If you’re interested in switching, check out EnviroCitizen.org’s gorgeous selection of mineral makeup.