There is great interest in mineral makeup and cosmetics now because more people want a healthy alternative and we are all becoming more health conscious and environmentally aware. Not only do we have concerns around toxins and chemicals but because minerals are a superior product. Some of the benefits of mineral cosmetics are covered in the information below. Minerals from our earth are making a huge comeback in the cosmetics industry. Unfortunately not all companies are producing pure products and we want to give you the facts so you can make informed decisions about what products to choose.

Mineral make up is most highly valued for its naturally-derived organic ingredients. High quality mineral make up formulations will contain only minerals extracted and refined from the earth. This is the reason why so many times you will see the words “Natural” in relation to mineral makeup. Even though minerals are natural and not an artificial product there is still a processing that ensures they are safe for your skin. It is important that cosmetics are free from any chemical ingredients that would make them harmful and leave it looking aged. Minerals are often recommended by dermatologists to women with sensitive skin, rosacea, post operative, laser and other procedures because of its intrinsic skin soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, vegan and cruelty free.

The exciting part about mineral make up is that it contains none of the harsh preservatives and fillers generally used in the “industry”. Minerals actually serve as a natural sunscreen against the damaging effects of the sun’s harsh UV rays. Further, they are dry and bacteria can not survive in this environment - they do not go bad. It will not go bad. Mineral make up is highly water resistant. Not only does this make your look immune to unexpected sprinkles or the occasional tear, mineral make up is incredibly long-lasting. You’ll rarely have the need to re-apply your make up as the day wears on. However, it still allows natural skin radiance to show through, so you don’t get the dreaded ‘mask’ look.

Most people are very pleasantly surprised about how light and weightless it feels, it stays on over the long run and does not clog your pores. That is why you have a younger look because while non mineral makeup may accumulate in the lines on your face, mineral makeup will give you a smooth look. It is very good for oily skin because it has several oil-absorbing components such as Kaolin clay or silica powder. These two minerals are excellent at reducing and absorbing oil. Zinc-oxide is a perfect ingredient for reducing redness or if you suffer from rosacea. Minerals will not dry your skin either. For those who have fragrance sensitivity you can rejoice because minerals a generally fragrance free. Are you loving it yet?

It just keeps getting better because mineral makeup is very cost effective too, especially when you compare the two based on results and benefits. In general, you need to use less mineral make up to achieve the same results as conventional cosmetics. It can provide very sheer or very opaque coverage, depending on the formulation and application. The same amount of harsh and synthetic chemically-based cosmetics that might only last for months could last years in mineral make up.

You can have a lot of fun with mineral makeup and not be concerned about irritating your skin or wasting expensive foundation while you find your “look”. Different mineral components can be mixed to achieve a wide variety of effects, producing just the right amount of shine, sparkle or translucence that you desire.

Even the most casual mineral make up review reveals significant benefits of this popular cosmetic product. If you haven’t given mineral make up a try, you might want to give them a try and discover why so many people are thrilled with minerals.

Although we spoke about purity and benefits of our mineral makeup there are some things to watch out for if you buy from other companies or websites. Not all mineral makeups are made with you in mind and so we have a list below of good and bad ingredients to watch out for. We do not have the “bad guys” in our products.

Read the ingredient list and avoid these ingredients. (The Bad Guys)

• Talc Various Powders: Common fillers- can cause respiratory problems.

• FD&C Dyes: Derived from coal tar.

• Bismuth Oxychloride: Known skin irritant- causes itching, rashes and breakouts. Especially prevalent when the wearer sweats.

• Cornstarch/ Rice Powder: Cosmetic grade- An oil humectant (draws oil out of the pores). Can make acne worse as it is a source of food for bacteria.

• Ferric Ferrocyanide: Controversial because of its suspected toxicity.

• Carmine: Crushed beetles, definitely not vegan or cruelty free.

Fillers and not necessary in mineral makeup they are all about profit. When you put something on your skin it is absorbed into your body so you don’t want petroleum products or mineral oil either.

Names you may find in ingredient lists of some products but these are favorable for your skin and body. (The Good Guys)
 
Titanium Dioxide: is a white colored inorganic salt that is produced as a white powder.  This non-irritating ingredient is also a broad spectrum UV absorber.  It is used as a main ingredient in mineral cosmetics due to its ability to produce good coverage and adhesion.
 
Zinc Oxide: is another white powder that is used as a natural sun-block, astringent, and antiseptic. This mineral sooths and heals irritated skin, making your product great for acne prone or sensitive skin.
 
Sericite Mica: is a white, silky, shiny pigment derived from a fine crystalline clay mineral.  It provides medium coverage, good spreadability  and a smooth texture when applied to the skin.
 
Red and Yellow Iron Oxides: are purified iron salts.  They are used as the main ingredients to pigment your foundation.
 
Ultramarine Blue: is a clay that has been heated to a high temperature.  Discovered by the Egyptians, this mineral is used to balance the warm pigments in your foundation formula.
 
Mica: is a reflective mineral which is used in our foundation formula to add dimension and sheen, making your skin look “alive”.  Mica is also used in our shadows, and blush to provide a satin finish.  We only use micas which are coated with natural minerals as opposed to dyes, lakes and carmine.
 
Silica Microspheres: Because of the size and shape of this mineral, it has the ability to diminish the look of fine lines on the skin, giving it a soft focus effect.  Because the particles are round, they produce a ball bearing effect, which imparts the finished product with a silky elegant texture, enhanced slip and better blendablity providing a “cream to powder” texture.
 
Boron Nitride: Boron Nitride is a soft, silky white mineral powder.  It is used as an additive to improve the "slip" of a product (how smoothly the product applies) as well as "adhesion" (how long it stays on the skin).
 
Calcium Carbonate: is found in chalk, limestone, marble and travertine. Even eggshells are 95% calcium carbonate! Calcium Carbonate's main function is to absorbs moisture.

Copyright State of the Art Trading Co. 2008