You’ve likely heard of it, and know that mineral makeup is touted to be absolutely terrific, but is it for you? What makes it different from regular make-up and why is it becoming so popular?

The Origins of Mineral Makeup

About thirty years ago, those who chose to live a more natural life rejected cosmetics with chemical additives and created makeup from the Earth’s minerals. This mineral makeup has been in use for years, but is becoming immensely popular as more people realize that living a more natural life can be as simple as switching your brand of makeup.

Mineral makeup is more than just an alternative to traditional makeup. With crushed minerals such as titanium, gold, zinc, magnesium and aluminum, mineral makeup actually works to improve your skin’s condition and not only prevents skin irritation, but helps to heal existing skin conditions as well.

The Breakdown of Mineral Makeup

Mineral makeup ranges in price and design among manufacturers. Don’t be fooled by the claim that a makeup is all natural. Only certain brands adhere to the code that all components of a makeup designed to improve the health and appearance of the skin should be natural minerals. Others choose to make the primary ingredients minerals and then add many of the chemical fillers and preservatives found in traditional cosmetics. As the majority of the makeup is minerals, it is advertised as such, but those seeking makeup free of dyes, fragrances, bonders, and preservatives, only the most natural mineral cosmetics will do.

Different cosmetics contain different minerals. Face powder and blush are the most popular forms of mineral makeup and these contain primarily mica, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide and can contain many other minerals from the Earth that help to soothe and enhance your skin’s natural beauty. The effects of mineral makeup have been described as a “silky layer to your skin” and as creating a “glow like we had in our teens and twenties.”

Benefits of Mineral Makeup

Among the many benefits of mineral makeup, the most prominent include its results on sensitive skin, its natural sun protection and the clean coverage the cosmetics provide.

Components of mineral makeup such as zinc oxide offer the skin natural sun protection. Zinc oxide and another primary ingredient, titanium oxide, are also two of the main ingredients in sun screen. Mineral makeup has a natural SPF of at least 15 in most cases and some varieties of face base and powder can reach SPF 40. You no longer need a greasy layer of sunscreen under your makeup to have full sun protection, your light coating of powder will do the job for you.

Those with sensitive skin or skin that is prone to flare ups of rosacea or acne find an ideal solution with mineral makeup. Minerals in the makeup actively work to soothe skin that is already irritated as well as prevent future irritations and breakouts. Mineral makeup is one of the very few alternatives available to women following chemical or laser peels as it works to repair and heal the exposed layer of skin and prevent additional irritation. In fact, mineral makeup blends so naturally with your skin and is comprised of such pure ingredients, you can sleep in it.