Mineral Make Up - What's It All About?

by Valerie Gladstone — January 30, 2008

With all the advertising, it's impossible not to be aware of mineral makeup. It sounds great. But what is it exactly?

What's in it? Mineral makeup (foundation, blush, eye shadow, and lipstick) is made from micronized minerals, including talc, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. A lot -- but not all of it -- contains no preservatives, dyes, oils, or fragrances. Check labels.

What's good about it? It lacks the ingredients that cause irritation, so if you have oily skin, you won't have to worry about emollients that might clog your pores. If your skin is sensitive, you won't need to be concerned about a product containing fragrance. And zinc oxide -- contained in some formulas -- is a terrific sunscreen.

Do you need to wear additional sunscreen? Definitely. No makeup is sufficient sun protection.

Does mineral makeup improve the skin's texture? Not any more than any product that offers some sun protection, but a mineral foundation can definitely enhance the look of skin's texture because of the reflective particles in the formula.

Is the makeup shimmery and hard to apply? A lot of mineral makeup doesn't contain the binding ingredients needed for pressed powder, which is why it's loose and soft. So it can be hard to handle and tends to get all over the place. Best start with less powder on the brush. Take a light swipe only and tap excess off before you apply it. A minimal application is also a good idea because the powders are shimmery. They're also very light so you don't feel as if you are wearing makeup. One of the best things about them.