As with all cosmetics, mineral makeup productss are not created equal. While it is true that mineral makeup of all brands is made of naturally occurring substances, not all make-up is pure and some naturally occurring substances are not ideal for the skin, especially not sensitive skin. Price and brand can not necessarily be used as indicators as products within a certain brand might have different components. Finding a quality mineral makeup requires you look a bit deeper.

Chemical Free

Your first clue should be the ingredients on the list provided on the packaging. A true mineral makeup is made of only the minerals from the earth such as zinc, titanium and even gold. But this is not regulated by any industry, so it is up to you, the consumer, to determine if a makeup is free of all other chemicals.

Some companies base their cosmetics on naturally occurring minerals such as zinc oxide, but then add small amounts of chemicals such as bonders, preservatives and color to suit their needs. Because the primary ingredients are minerals, the company sells the products as mineral makeup despite the added ingredients that many would argue have no place in the mineral makeup product.

Bismuth Oxycholoride

Even after weeding out all chemically laden makeup options, there is some controversy over a natural, albeit not naturally occurring, addition to many mineral makeup products. Bismuth oxycholoride is a naturally occurring substance that results from lead or copper processing. It is a mineral, but it does not come from the Earth.

Bismuth oxycholoride is often used as a bulk or filler product in mineral makeup. It adds a pearly glow to your face that is desirable and the mineral is easy to obtain if you consider a byproduct mineral in the same class as a naturally occurring one. While the origins of bismuth oxycholoride might not be particularly offsetting to most, the results of the product can be.

Bismuth oxycholoride is a known skin irritant. It can cause itching and rashes and in large amounts bismuth oxycholoride can even cause cystic acne as well. In fact, dermatologists recommend that you avoid the additive if possible, especially if you have acne, rosacea or sensitive skin. It is not enough to read the label on a single product to decide about an entire cosmetic line either. Some products within a line will have bismuth oxycholoride and others do not – you must read every label to decide.

Nanoparticles

Not often a word used to describe makeup, nanoparticles are the size that some companies strive for when pulverizing their minerals to make cosmetics. It is the tiny size that presents a potential problem. While subatomic sized particles of zinc oxide might give you wonderful coverage that lasts all day and night, the tiny size makes many health professionals nervous. A molecule of zinc oxide is perfectly safe on the skin, but crushed smaller than that, it is unclear what health risks it might present – especially if the particles are absorbed through open sores or ingested. Always be careful with makeup to apply it only to healthy skin and avoid breathing in the dust from your loose powder.