The makeup that will leave your skin clearer and healthier than before you wore it

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Mineral makeup is the latest buzz in the world of cosmetics. Many big name brands including Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown and Mac have jumped on the bandwagon, coming out with new lines of mineral makeup. The appeal?  Well, it’s a whole lot better for your skin than traditional synthetic makeup. It’s cleaner, more natural, and gives a lovely shine to your skin.

Mineral makeup is exactly what its name suggests. It contains finely crushed naturally occurring substances, mined from the earth. The main minerals included are titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, mica, and magnesium.

1. Mineral makeup is non comedogenic

“Non comedogenic” is Fancy Beauty Talk for “doesn’t contain ingredients that will clog your pores”. So it allows your skin to “breathe.” This means applying mineral makeup is less likely to aggravate breakouts.

Also, since mineral makeup is oil free and composed of naturally derived ingredients, there is no component for bacteria to grow on, so it is naturally anti- bacterial, making it super beneficial for acne prone skin.

2. Mineral makeup has built in SPF

Mineral makeup comes with the added bonus of naturally built in sunscreen. Both titanium and zinc oxide, the main ingredients in most mineral makeup, act as natural sun blockers, providing additional protection against UVA and UVB rays.

However, mineral makeup alone isn’t enough to protect your delicate skin from the harsh and damaging rays. It is still super important to include a separate SPF as part of your skincare routine. Remember, SPF goes on straight after cleansing.

3. Mineral makeup is perfect for sensitive skin

What makes mineral makeup particularly different to traditional makeup is the ingredients it doesn’t contain.

Traditional makeup includes components which can irritate sensitive skin and potentially lead to allergic reactions. These ingredients include; chemical dyes, preservatives, talc, lead, preservatives and fragrances. Mineral makeup doesn’t contain these potential irritants, making it perfect for sensitive skin types.

Also, one of the main ingredients found in most mineral makeup, Zinc oxide, has anti -inflammatory properties.

This additional bonus means mineral makeup is beneficial for irritated skin or skin which has undergone treatments such as cosmetic laser procedures or peels, and for skin suffering from rosacea or acne. It actually helps calm and sooth the redness of the skin.

4. Mineral makeup has a natural finish

Mineral makeup is able to create a natural ‘second skin’ look.

Titanium oxide has excellent light reflecting properties, meaning it helps diffuse the appearance skin imperfections. Think of it as a soft-focus lens in real life.

But keep in mind that due to its powder finish, mineral makeup can settle into fine lines and exacerbate dry areas of your skin. To avoid this problem, ensure your skin is moisturised and well hydrated before applying your makeup.

5. Mineral makeup is long lasting

Mineral makeup is ideal for hot weather, because it  has serious staying power. Because it’s a powder, with no added oil, it won’t melt off your face.

By now you ought to be convinced mineral makeup is the holy grail of makeup… however like most things in life mineral makeup does have its flaws.

There are concerns that mineral makeup which contains “Bismuth Oxychloride”, an ingredient which adds a shimmery glow, can potentially irritate sensitive skin.

And, because it has no preservatives, sometimes nasties can sneak in there. Just make sure you always look at the use-by date. 

But don’t despair, you can simply avoid this concern by opting for mineral makeup brands which do not contain this ingredient.

What’s your favourite mineral makeup brand?