What's the Difference Between Mineral Makeup and Regular Makeup?

The latest buzz in the beauty industry would without a doubt be the emergence of mineral make-up. Primarily as a foundation, you can also find mineral makeup in blush and eyeshadow formulations as well.

The main difference between mineral and regular makeup is in the ingredients used to create the product and that most mineral makeup is in powder form. Of course other factors such as how it looks on your skin and the added natural benefits are a reason it is becoming such a hit with beauty shoppers.

Makeup

While most mineral cosmetics claim to be made with natural or safe ingredients, it is still important to read the ingredient list as some companies may include some chemical compounds. If at all possible, avoid paraben preservatives and choose only 100% certified organic mineral makeup.

Another benefit is that the makeup offers a natural sun protection. While not as high as your SPF 15+'s, it still provides adequate cover if you are just going shopping or out and about during the day.

It doesn't clog pores which is great news for those with oily or problem skin, and depending how it is applied can also minimize the appearance of fine lines and imperfections.

Women of all ages and skin types (even sensitive) can use mineral makeup although those with dry skin may need to use a moisturizing lotion underneath their foundation.

Because it generally comes in powder form it needs to be applied with a brush, but a damp sponge can also work giving a heavier finish. Blending in a circular motion usually gives the best look.

Another reason that many people are choosing it over regular cosmetics is that it gives a very natural 'no makeup' look. It makes you look if you have perfectly flawless skin when that may not really be the case at all!

What's the Difference Between Mineral Makeup and Regular Makeup?

Tracey is the health and beauty editor of Lazy Spa Girl and uses only certified organic mineral makeup.

[http://www.green-skincare.com/]

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Bismuth Oxychloride in Mineral Makeup

Does this scenario sound familiar? You've worn traditional makeup for years with little to no irritation. Upon hearing about the benefits of mineral makeup, you decide to give it a try. After all, it claims to be better for your skin and healthier overall, so what have you got to lose? And if you've never been able to wear traditional makeup without irritation, mineral makeup sounds like the answer you've been looking for. You buy your first jar and begin wearing it immediately.

Except... you're having a reaction you've never had before to makeup. Your skin may be red, irritated, itching, having small bumps or pustules, burning or looking swollen. What is this? How can mineral makeup cause such an extreme reaction?

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That reaction is likely caused by the ingredient bismuth oxychloride. While bismuth oxychloride is a common ingredient in traditional makeup, as well as mineral makeup, it is used in much higher concentrations in mineral makeup. There are no fillers in mineral makeup like there are in traditional cosmetics (talc, mineral oil, aluminum powder, alcohols and parabens), so the few ingredients left, including bismuth oxychloride, make up more of the recipe.

Why Is Bismuth Oxychloride Used In Makeup?

Is it used in makeup because it gives the makeup a silky feel, good slip (this means it applies well to the skin and doesn't drag or grab on the skin) and good adhesion, which helps it stay on your skin. It feels smooth and silky when rubbed between the fingers. It is often described as a lustrous crystalline powder.

It is not the most expensive ingredient, nor is it the least expensive. It is, however, an industry standard and very common. It also gives a visible sheen to the makeup, so it's good at refracting light and that helps draw attention away from, and camouflage, fine lines, wrinkles and minor discolorations. That's a great selling point for makeup.

What Is Bismuth Oxychloride?

Bismuth oxychloride is an inorganic white pigment, and usually comes in two forms: diamond and pearl finishes. The diamond is shimmery and the pearl is more matte. It's formula is BiOCl.

If you look on the periodic table of elements, you'll notice plain old bismuth at atomic number 83, with the symbol Bi. It is the least toxic of it's periodic table neighbors like lead, tin, antimony and polonium. Bismuth in itself is not safe for use in cosmetics, and must be refined and combined with other elements to produce bismuth oxychloride.

Bismuth occurs naturally, but in very small amounts. Most of the bismuth produced in the USA is as a by-product from refining lead, tin, copper, silver and gold ores.

Once the bismuth has been harvested, it is further refined through several processes to remove dangerous elements like lead. Then it is chlorinated, which gives us bismuth chloride (BiCl3). It still poses a severe risk at this point, smelling of hydrochloric acid. When bismuth chloride is combined with water, it starts to decompose and part of the chlorine is replaced by oxygen from the water. This process is called hydrolysis. The remaining compound is bismuth, chlorine and oxygen; Bismuth oxychloride.

Is It Safe To Use?

Bismuth oxychloride is a product that is FDA approved for use in products for the face, eyes, lips and nails. It is a very common and popular ingredient in both traditional and mineral makeup.

However, skin irritation from bismuth oxychloride is not unusual. According the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for bismuth oxychloride, there is a risk of it being a potential irritant to humans when it comes in contact with the skin or eyes.

It is also imperative that bismuth oxychloride be free from toxins when it hits the market. The FDA does have standards outlining this, and in their Electronic Code of Federal Regulations they dictate the composition must be free of impurities except lead, arsenic, volatile matter and mercury in specific amounts and must be 98% bismuth oxychloride.

Buying bismuth oxychloride from countries with less stringent laws may result in increased health risks, so it is wise for companies to buy from highly regulated countries, like the US and Canada.

Should I Use It?

This is a very personal question to answer. Are you are happy with your current makeup and are suffering no ill effects? Would you feel more comfortable using makeup without it? Do you find that you have to buff minerals with bismuth oxychloride into your pores or they are more obvious, and this is irritating your skin? Have you found using mineral makeup without it causes your skin relief and the reaction clears up?

These are all questions to ask yourself when deciding to purchase a brand with bismuth oxychloride as an ingredient. There are many good products available, offering the same benefits as products with bismuth oxychloride, but without the ingredient itself.

Bismuth Oxychloride in Mineral Makeup

Lynn Starner is the founder and CEO of Beauty Bliss Mineral Cosmetics at http://www.beautyblisscosmetics.com

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Mineral Makeup vs Traditional Foundation

Mineral makeup is the latest trend in cosmetics. It is sold from department store counters, championed on late night infomercials and touted in fashion magazines. How do the various brands differ, and which one is best for you? How does mineral makeup differ from traditional products? Let's take a look.

Despite different brand names and marketing strategies, most mineral makeup has remarkably similar ingredients. Some commonly used minerals include micronized titanium dioxide, micronized zinc oxide, iron oxide, silk mica, and hydrated silica.

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Micronized titanium dioxide, a common ingredient in sun block products, is particularly suited to protect skin from damaging sunlight. This white mineral's crystalline structure naturally reflects and defuses the sun's harmful rays. Micronized zinc oxide works in combination with the micronized titanium dioxide to reflect the sunlight's dangerous UVA and UVB rays.

Iron oxide is found in nature in red, orange and yellow hues. These pigments are blended into flesh tones for mineral foundations. Silk mica and hydrated silica soften the mineral compounds for use on the skin. Silk Mica gives mineral makeup a smooth texture, and hydrated silica binds the minerals to make them less messy. Individual brands may add secondary ingredients, such as vitamins, extra skin softeners or stronger pigments to neutralize skin tone.

Mineral makeup can counteract a host of familiar challenges. People prone to allergies or with sensitive skin will find mineral makeup contains no irritating dyes or perfumes. They do not use talc and other fillers that can be harmful to the skin. The acne-prone will find mineral makeup is organic, hypoallergenic and oil free; it will not clog pores like some conventional cosmetics.

Unlike traditional cosmetics, mineral foundations can provide sheer to full coverage. A light, sheer finish can be accomplished by moving the applicator brush in small circles on the face. Mineral makeup can also provide a more opaque texture if applied in layers with a damp sponge, much like you would apply liquid foundation. Fortunately, the consistency of mineral makeup gives coverage without the thick, unnatural, pore-clogging consequences of traditional liquid foundation.

Although mineral makeup has been a fixture in high-end department stores and specialty cosmetics shops for several years, a handful of more economical options are now on the market in drugstores. Consumers can expect to pay for upscale mineral makeup brands, while drugstore mineral makeup from Neutrogena and Physician's Formula range from -.

With so little variation in actual ingredients, the difference in brands is often limited to marketing strategy. Many brands cater to a specific skin type. For example, Mineralogie claims their mineral makeup is suited to those with oily skin, because it does not include minerals that give other brands a shimmery finish.

Mineral Makeup vs Traditional Foundation

Corinne writes on diverse cosmetics topics as well as other womens interests such as jewelry. To read her articles on topics such as online jewelry stores, fine jewelry and supplies to make jewelry [http://www.jewelry-and-more.com/jewelry-making-supplies.htm], visit Jewelry-and-more.com.

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