Is Mineral Make-up Better For our Skin?

Well, as with everything, there are pros and cons to mineral make-up, and some people  really cannot get on with it at all. I have tried nearly all the main brands of mineral make-up, and have decided on “Mineralogie” mineral cosmetics for me and my clients, it really is excellent quality, and I love recommending it!, one of the things I love most is the SPF 26 Protection! – The highest rating for a mineral foundation in the industry.

It took me a period of adjustment to get used to mineral make-up application, and the pressed and loose formulations. Once you have found which formula to use for your skin type, the application becomes easy and less time consuming than the normal liquid foundation, concealer and powder ritual.

Mineral Make-up Benefits

Let’s start with the things that are so great about mineral make-up – (The Pure mineral brands, not some of the mainstream brands that have very little mineral content)

• There is NO fragrance or preservatives
• You can build the coverage up in layers, to cover Acne and Rosacea
• Most have a SPF of around 20-26 (Mineralogie has the highest rating from the FDA), this broad spectrum sunscreen is in the form of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide and protects against UVA and UVB rays – don’t rely on this in the hot sun if you are sunbathing, use a separate sunscreen and use your make-up as insurance!! As you would have to apply a very liberal amount to achieve that SPF.
• Pure minerals allow the skin to breath and function normally
• Some brands have added antioxidants to protect against air pollution
• There are fewer incidents of cosmetic acne and skin problems
• Mineral make-up doesn’t melt in the heat like traditional foundations
• Some are very water resistant and last longer than regular make-up
• when applied properly it doesn’t feel or look heavy, in fact you feel like your wearing no make-up
• Mineral make-up can act as a 3 in 1 product – foundation, concealer and powder

Mineral make-up is a great choice for Rosacea sufferers and sensitive skins, the reason for this is that it contains fewer ingredients and is fragrance and preservative free. The less ingredients in a product, the less there is to react to.

I personally like the way it looks on my skin, it has that light reflectiveness that gives you a more youthful look! But it isn’t perfect for everyone and has its downsides too.

I don’t deny that there are people who have reacted to mineral make-up negatively and have either had a sensitivity or a skin break-out.There are two reasons:

• Bismuth Oxychloride – this ingredient is in most mineral make-ups and gives the product a sheen or slight shimmer, a small minority have experienced skin reactions. Do a patch test or request a sample.
• Mica - this also gives the product shimmer, and small minorities are allergic. This is not just in mineral make-up; it is in most mainstream cosmetic formulations. ( it is an earth mineral)

Some brands contain Talc, which is in fact a natural earth mineral. Talc has had a bad press and some people say that it clogs their skin. There has been evidence of pure talc used frequently over the female genital area may increase the risk of ovarian cancer, but this is questionable and the evidence did not provide a direct link. You will find talc in most mainstream cosmetics.

Some people report that mineral make-up clogs their pores and makes their acne worse, everybody can react differently and can find any ingredient irritating, regardless of its origin. To be sure, it is better to patch test it first, or get a sample. (My skin gets clogged very easily, but I have not had a problem with mineral make-up)

Other doubters of mineral make-up say that their skin feels dry, but this is also a minority. There are a few key steps to application, if you have dry skin – less is more, as powder products can settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Most good brands offer a pressed mineral make-up, which is normally blended with something to make it pressed – like Grape seed or Almond Oil. Some brands also do a liquid mineral foundation which can suit a drier skin; they can have added ingredients like vitamins and hydrators. If you have dry skin it is also wise to use a skin spritz over the top of your mineral make-up, this sets the minerals and stops the powdered look, it also stops the minerals from rubbing off onto your clothes etc.

If your skin is on the oily side, then you may prefer the loose mineral formulations, these are oil free and very absorbent of oil without looking too powdered. Also though strictly not a true mineral make-up – Dermalogica Treatment Foundation  is based on minerals and tinted with iron oxides, it is oil free and great on an oily skin.

Here are some of the brands that are considered the most Pure Mineral make-up brands.

• Mineralogie
• Jane Iredale
• Bare Escentuals
• Youngblood
• Glo Minerals
• Susan Posnick
• Lily Lolo
• Sheer cover

What the cosmetics industry and customers appreciate is that mineral make-up respects the skin, perfecting it instantly, and gives a flawless finish. So it really is a matter of choice, and it’s a good option for most people, but remember there are good and bad versions of everything, and any one of us can react to any ingredient even with so-called Hypo-allergenic products – and there is no such thing as chemical free skincare or make-up, as every ingredient in a cosmetic is a chemical!! – But I still wouldn’t recommend going to bed with your make-up on, even if it is mineral make-up!!!

For more information and brand reviews visit the Mineral Make-up Blog.

I find that Mineral Make-Up actually looks better if you spritz afterwards, this sets your make-up and if you look too “powdery” the spritz just takes that away, leaving the skin looking flawless – this also stops the minerals rubbing off onto your clothes. If your skin is particularly dry, you can press the spritz onto the skin with fingertips, especially around fine lines and places where powder can creep into – especially open pores and wrinkles.

Another tip for skin spritzers is to use liberally before your moisturiser – then massage the moisturiser into your skin while the skin is still damp – this really helps your moisturiser ”trap” more moisture in the skin and really combats dehydrated and dry skin. Oily skin will also benefit from this, as it still can experience skin dehydration as it lacks water, not oil.

Some of my favourite skin spritzes are -

• Dermalogica Multi Active Toner
• Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist
• Crystal Clear Revitalising Tonic
• Good old fashioned Rosewater! Also other flower waters/Hydrosols – lavender, Chamomile, Orange Blossom are all lovely.
• Avene Thermal Spring Water/or Vichy.

Buy Mineralogie’s Skin Spritz in our Skincare Shop.

I find these so handy if your out and about and need a quick re-application, they are easy to use and not at all messy! You have the added benefit of the SPF 26 and a wide range of colours to suit most skin tones.

This product has got to be one of my ultimate hero products! It literally is a stroke of genius and the easiest sun product you could ever use!
Mineralogie have come up trumps with this fabulous dispensing brush full of mineral powder with an FDA approved rating of SPF 30, which has got to be the highest for a mineral product on the market!
The mineral sun protection comes from Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide which bounce the UVA and UVB rays away from your skin, as opposed to traditional chemical sunscreens that absorb the UV rays. It is a much better option if you have sunscreen allergies or Rosacea and sensitive skin, as there are fewer ingredients to irritate.

What I like most is the powder formulation, which comes in clear or three tinted shades. It is such a fabulous idea, as even the most regimental sun protection users can occasionally get caught out without enough sun product on their skin!! With this dispensing brush, you can just whip it out of your handbag or glove compartment in the car, and give yourself a quick dusting!! You can apply over your make-up, and if your skin is oily then you won’t have issues with feeling sticky and greasy, and the Zinc Oxide is incredibly healing and anti-inflammatory.

As you all probably know, the sun and exposure to UV rays accounts for 80 – 90 % of the ageing we see on our skin, and the best preventative measure (and anti-ageing product) is to use a good broad spectrum (UVA &UVB) sun product – EVERYDAY!, not just in the summer, but all year round as there is as much UVA in the winter as in the height of summer!! Shocking! This is where most people go wrong, they forget about SPF in the winter!

Mineralogie have made it very easy for us to protect our skin and prevent premature skin ageing – and with a product this easy to use, you have no excuse!!! So get dusting!

To buy Mineralogie Face and Body Block visit our Skincare Shop.

For sheer, next-to-nothing coverage, one to two layers is all it takes. For full coverage, layer on until you achieve the desired results, it is best to apply a small amount of powder at a time so shake off the excess on your brush. Make sure you are using  flat cut brush for application, the best brush to use is a Kabuki Brush – you will get the perfect finish and avoid the powder looking too heavy and caked.

Mineralogie mineral make-up will give you the exact amount of coverage you want, without the heavy made up look, no matter how many layers you decide to apply. For oily skin, dust with Matte Finishing Powder . For dry skin, set the Mineral Powder Foundation with a Skin Spritz, I also love Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist  for an anti-ageing hydrating boost, press the spritz into the skin with your fingertips, concentrating on areas like around your eyes where powder may settle into fine lines.

To buy and view all Mineralogie Mineral Cosmetics visit our Skincare Shop.