Mineral makeup has been around since the time of Cleopatra when ancient Egyptians used to grind up minerals to make cosmetics. Today they have gained in popularity as women search for more natural ingredients in makeup. Many mineral makeup companies claim that their products are good for you skin and will help improve its overall look. But how true is this claim? Is mineral makeup good for your skin or not?

The answer to this question depends on the ingredients used to produce the makeup. Not all brands are 100 percent pure minerals. Some brands add synthetic ingredients to help keep the makeup from clumping or as fillers. It is best to read the ingredients to know if it is truly pure minerals or has other ingredients added. True mineral makeup is made up of only natural minerals that are ground and mixed to produce the desired colors.

Real or Synthetic?
One of the most popular synthetic “minerals” is bismuth oxychloride. Bismuth oxychloride is classified as a mineral, but it is mineral that is made in the laboratory as a by product of copper and lead. It is sometimes used as filler for mineral makeup. Bismuth oxycholoride has been shown to cause severe allergic reactions in some people. People with rosacea or sensitive skin are advised to avoid this ingredient. Talc is another mineral that is sometimes used in the production of makeup. Talc has come under scrutiny for its possible cancer causing effects and damage to your lungs if you breathe it in. Paraben is an ingredient that is used as a preservative. In recent years paraben has been a concern because some studies show a link to it and an increase in breast cancer tumors.

Benefits of Pure Mineral Makeup
Since mineral makeup sits on top of your skin it will not clog your pores and cause breakouts. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are natural sunscreens and can help protect your skin from sun damage with an SPF of up to 20. Since minerals do not permit bacteria to grow, mineral makeup stays pure and free of contamination. Many women find that mineral makeup has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe irritated and very sensitive skin. Mineral makeup is naturally water resistant and is lighter than traditional liquid or pancake makeup. The colors are truer because of the nature of the minerals and do not contain any artificial colors.

Concerns about Mineral Makeup
Some researchers are concerned about the potential dangers associated with the production of mineral makeup. They feel that while zinc oxide and titanium oxide are safe for use on the skin, when these minerals are ground down to nano particles their effects are not know. Concern over the safety of these nano particles has lead to extensive study and the data is not yet in that proves one way or another whether their fears are founded in facts. Another concern is that while mineral makeup does have sunscreen protection by its nature, it also comes off of the skin easily and may give you spotty protection or no protection at all once it comes off.

Conclusion
Overall the general opinion is that mineral makeup is not only safe but can actually be good for your skin. This is true if you use pure mineral makeup and not makeup that has synthetic ingredients added to it. Some of the most popular brands on the market today include Bare Escentuals I.D Bare Minerals, Earthnicity Minerals, Sheer Miracle, and Young Blood. You may have to try a few brands to find one that works the best for you and gives you the coverage you want.