Mineral makeup; is it really good for the skin?

In recent years there has been a lot of hype in the beauty industry about mineral makeup. Glossy advertisements and infomercials extol the virtues of this new wonder cosmetic. Some claim that mineral make up is so pure that you can actually sleep in it without detrement. The general impression given is  that mineral makeup is good for the skin; but is this really the case?

A close inspection of the ingredients on many of the most popular brands will reveal Bismuth Oxychloride amongst the list. Bismuth is a know irritant of the skin and should be avoided by those who are prone to breakouts and rosacea. Bismuth comes from the same metal family as lead and some question this product’s use in cosmetics. However, bismuth has been used in makeup and pharmaceuticals for years, although many companies are choosing to irradiate it from their ingredients list.

Whatever your take on mineral makeup and its preparation, one thing is for certain; make sure that you buy your products from a reputable source. There are some non branded generic mineral makeup preparations being produced in the Far East by less reputable manufacturing outlets. Some of these products contain toxic chemicals and would not conform to European or USA safety standards.