Are There Any Side Effects Of Bare Minerals?

Minerals have been used to enhance facial features since ancient times. Bare minerals makeup is a beauty product which is more wholesome and skin friendly than conventional makeup. It contains no fragrances, dyes or preservatives which may irritate the skin. It has an SPF of 15 which protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays which are said to cause skin aging and dark spots. Unlike liquid make up it does not clog the pores and allows skin to breathe.

Mineral make up is very light and is in powder form. Only a little needs to be applied to cover acne marks, pigmentation and dark circles so the skin is not caked. It can be reapplied as many times as necessary but it stays the whole day. For oily skin, it is a sheer make up and gives a shine free look.

Clinical trials have established that it improves the elasticity and texture of the skin. With long-term use, it was found that acne was controlled and the appearance of the skin improved considerably. It proved its efficacy on teen agers and middle-aged women alike.

If you have extremely sensitive skin which is prone to allergies, then this is the make up to use. Titanium dioxide is an FDA approved sunscreen. The zinc oxide in this makeup soothes, protects and heals the skin. It contains a natural astringent and antiseptic which acts on the skin when you apply the makeup. The pearly look is achieved by mica, which is a natural coloring agent.

However, critics point out that not all these minerals are absorbed by the skin and are easily dusted off as they are in powder form. Some women experience redness, itching and appearance of bumps. This is due to an ingredient called bismuth oxy chloride in the mineral foundation. It is a bi-product of metals like copper and lead which are used to introduce a pearly effect on the skin.

These metals are found in both conventional and mineral makeup. Since mineral makeup contains no fillers, the quantity of bismuth oxy chloride is more in it than found in other makeup. Some mineral products contain cornstarch. Although it is a natural product, it may not suit some people. There are foundations which do not contain either of these two products so read the label carefully and avoid those which contain them.

You could apply an oil free moisturizer and makeup primer and then use the foundation and concealer. In this way allergy causing ingredients will not come in direct contact with your skin. You could continue using blusher, mascara, eye shadow and lipstick which are mineral based and do not contain the above ingredients.