The modern woman is becoming more and more sensitive to the need for being gentle to the environment. This goes true even with her cosmetic arsenal. Keeping this mind many cosmetic companies have reintroduced mineral makeup into the market. “Reintroduced” because mineral makeup has throughout the centuries, been used by many beautiful women to enhance their natural charms. Didn’t the last Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, use it to further her infamous sexual appeal?
Since the trend first gained foothold in the ‘70’s, mineral makeup has enjoyed a growing popularity over the last forty years. The appeal of mineral makeup is its organic and natural origins. Isn’t the mineral naturally found in the environment a good deal safer than the potentially toxic synthetic ingredient? Using mineral makeup certainly has advantages but with all the marketing hype surrounding it, a good number of misconceptions have also come to light. What is true and what is fiction? What comes in between? Here are a few of the all too common but often misleading concepts about mineral makeup.
1. Mineral makeup is made only of 100% natural ingredients – Misconception
To comply with the Food and Drug Administration, all makeup products must list all ingredients used, in descending order of importance. However, the terms “natural” and “organic” are not regulated by the FDA. Many companies label their makeup products as natural or organic even if it only contains such ingredients partially. Simply look at any makeup label, mineral or otherwise, and it is easy to see that apart from natural minerals, other synthetic ingredients comprise it too.
2. Mineral makeup is mild and gentle enough to sleep in – Myth
Mineral makeup, no matter if it is 99% made of natural ingredients, is still makeup. Sleeping in any kind of makeup can clog the pores. The skin is made of living cells that need to be able to breathe. It is essential to clean your face of makeup before going to sleep to maintain the skin’s health.
3. Mineral makeup heals the skin – Misconception
Mineral makeup makes no such therapeutical claims. Although it is a healthier choice for people with skin problems like acne, or sensitive skin prone to breakouts, mineral makeup has never been proven scientifically to heal such problems. It usually does not contain irritants such as fragrance and artificial coloring and can be gentler on skin than other makeup. It also does not contain the preservative paraben, which scientists have associated with breast cancer.
4. Mineral makeup is messy – Truth
Mineral makeup is great for finishing your look, giving your complexion a clean and polished finish. However, it is indeed the messiest type of makeup to apply. Mineral makeup is in loose powder form and it is easy to pepper your clothes with it. Before applying the finishing touch with mineral powder, cover your dresser table and clothes with towels or paper napkins to prevent it from falling all over.
Foundation and Makeup for Flawless Skin
The right foundation and makeup is essential for a clear, glowing complexion. Mineral or not, your makeup should enhance your features, make your skin look flawless, and add to your confidence. These are some of the mineral cosmetics if you’re looking for a place to start.
- Jane Iredale’s Powder-Me Dry Sunscreen is a great foundation for use in summer. It has natural dried clay with anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin.
- Almay’s Wake Up Hydrating Makeup gives medium coverage without drying the skin. It contains cucumber, aloe vera and green tea extracts that refresh the skin. It is free of paraben and talc.
- La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation SPF 15, with algae extract and seaweed proteins, boasts of skin-firming and anti-aging properties.
This article has been contributed by Aishwarya Vohra for Escentual.com. She believes in healthy and balanced living. Although she blogs on various topics, her favorites are health, fitness and beauty related issues.
About the Author: Carleen Coulter
