Mineral cosmetics are made from natural minerals (fine miniature rock crystals) taken from Mother Earth. Mineral makeup is simply foundation in powder-form. The focus on mineral makeup is about what they contain as well as what they do not contain.

Why Mineral Makeup

Mineral makeup has gained popularity because unlike more traditional products they generally do not contain any type of preservative. They are also fragrance-free, which is an important factor for users with sensitive skin and allergies. Fragrance is a major factor in skin allergies from cosmetics. Many other ingredients found in traditional makeup are also absent from most mineral makeup such as waxes, talc, oil, and dyes.

There is also the belief that mineral cosmetics offer additional benefits to users such as natural protection against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. Some manufacturers however, have been capitalizing on this benefit by adding extra sun protection up to SPF 30. They are also noncomedogenic, that is, they do not lead to clogged pores, and are generally gentler on the skin. Many companies also claim that mineral makeup can even help improve the skin and are safe for use even by persons with acne and rosacea.

Finally, mineral cosmetics tend to give the skin a natural glow without looking heavy.

Prior to this upsurge, mineral makeup was found mostly in spas, but now consumers can find them anywhere makeup is sold. The popularity of this trend is backed up by sales figures from one manufacturer of the product, Bare Escentuals. In the makeup market, the company holds third place behind cosmetic giants CoverGirl and Clinique. In 2005 Bare Escentuals had an 83 percent growth in sales.

However, there are critics who claim that all the hype is just that. A report on the website cosmeticscop.com/bulletin claims that mineral makeup is not as natural as consumers are led to believe. The author, Paula Begoun who also wrote “Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me” notes in the Special Report that all powder foundations use bismuth oxychloride (which is not found in nature), an ingredient known to cause skin irritation. Other critics note that the powder is hard to apply and can highlight flaws such as creases and wrinkles on older skin. However, for now, mineral makeup is all the rage and as more power-players enter the market, the end seems to be nowhere in sight.

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