The Magic Behind Mineral Makeup
Mineral makeup, which is made from pure minerals, allows your skin to breathe properly and gives you lighter, more natural look. It won’t clog pores on your skin, is hypoallergenic and usually safe to use on any skin. In addition, It contains natural anti-inflammatory ingredients, like zinc and titanium oxides, which help the skin when it’s irritated. It also works as a concealer.
Mineral makeup has become popular for many reasons: It’s eco-friendly, looks good, and feels light on the face. And because TV infomercials and the celebrities who use and recommend it, mineral makeup has gotten a lot of media attention.
“Mineral makeup has been around for 30 years or more, but has recently regained popularity in the cosmetics industry,” says Scott Gerrish, MD, of Gerrish and Associates, PC, a nonsurgical skin care specialist with offices in Virginia and Maryland. “It was originally used by plastic surgeons and dermatologists on patients after cosmetic procedures to cover the redness and soreness.”
Is Mineral Makeup Right For You?
The Magic Behind Mineral Makeup
Mineral makeup is made from pure, crushed minerals and will not cake on the skin: It allows the skin to breathe and gives you a lighter, more natural look than traditional makeup. “Mineral makeup comes in powdered, pressed, and liquid forms and has beneficial properties for your skin,” says Helga Surratt, President of About Faces Day Spa & Salon, in Towson, Md.
It is ideal for all skin types, all skin tones, and women of all ages. Mineral makeup looks great, feels great, and helps to bring out your natural glow. “But take care to read the labels and make sure you’re getting pure mineral makeup,” Surratt says.
Why Mineral Makeup May Be Better
Mineral makeup won’t clog pores or irritate. As Pam Messy of Mary Kay Cosmetics in Owings Mills, Md., says, “Regular makeup contains artificial chemicals or preservatives, whereas true mineral makeup does not. Mineral makeup is hypoallergenic and usually safe to use on any skin.” It’s also free of oil, talc, perfume, dyes, alcohol, and other potentially irritating and comedogenic, or pore-clogging, ingredients, Surratt says.
Mineral makeup ingredients can soothe skin. What it does contain are natural anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as zinc and titanium oxides, which help calm the skin when it’s irritated. These ingredients also offer protection from UVA, UVB, and infrared sun rays. “Read the label, as you want at least an SPF of 15,” Surratt says.
Mineral makeup acts as a great concealer. Need to hide imperfections? Mineral makeup is lightweight and conceals, corrects, and covers pigmentations and lines on your face while still allowing your skin to breathe. “It offers skin-enhancing benefits. It smoothes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, conceals blotchiness, and improves the appearance of skin with acne or rosacea,” Gerrish says. Mineral makeup doesn’t need many touch-ups because it has water-resistant qualities that provide long-lasting coverage, another plus.
“Pure mineral makeup is so harmless you can almost sleep in it,” says Messy, “though I always recommend removing all makeup before going to bed, and applying a good moisturizer.”
While no form of makeup is perfect, mineral makeup products can help you avoid harsh preservatives and chemicals while hiding those fine lines and little flaws. You may never go back to regular makeup because of the way mineral makeup looks and feels on your face.
