Why You Should Start Using Mineral Makeup

Makeup is something most of us use every day, and we’re only starting to discover how daily exposure to chemicals found in conventional beauty products can affect our health. Thankfully, over the last several years, there has been a big push towards mineral makeup as a healthier and more effective alternative to conventional makeup.

If the advantages of using mineral makeup over the “other stuff” aren’t clear, fear not! We’ve taken the time to put together a list of great reasons why you should be using mineral makeup as your “weapon of choice”.

MINERAL MAKEUP IS BETTER FOR YOUR SKIN

Because your skin is able to “breathe” using mineral makeup, symptoms from skin complications such as acne, eczema and redness are alleviated. This is especially important for rosacea, as the slightest irritation can lead to flare-ups.

Avoiding products containing synthetic ingredients is also essential for healthy skin. Along with petroleum-based additives and oils, some of the ingredients found in conventional makeup that are best avoided include:

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals that enable plastic to be more flexible and softer while allowing it to retain its shape. DEHP, a type of phthalate, is linked with cancer and fertility issues in rats and mice. Under the US National Toxicology Program (NTP), DEHP is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen”. Although conventional cosmetics often contain phthalates in amounts so small they are considered safe in Canada, the long term effects of daily exposure are still unknown. With the science not yet conclusive, it’s still a controversial ingredient best avoided.

Parabens

Parabens are widely used preservatives found in personal care products, considered a highly effective and low cost method of protecting products from contamination. When considering the amount of germs our makeup gets exposed to over time, it’s easy to understand the need to protect against infection (yes, there IS a reason you should never use old / expired beauty products!).

The bad news is that parabens were detected in samples of tissue from tumour biopsies from a study conducted in 2004. Although the study didn’t conclude that parabens actually caused cancer, the results from the study did call into question the need for more research regarding the link between parabens and cancer.

Synthetic Dyes

Any synthetic colours used to create vibrant products should be avoided, as some are believed to be immune disruptors and cancer-causing agents.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil acts as a moisturizing agent without providing any nutrients for the skin. It also attracts moisture from skin cells which is needed in order for cells to renew, leading to premature aging.  There are also concerns with how mineral oil affects hormonal health and the immune system.

MINERAL MAKEUP PROVIDES BETTER COVERAGE WITH LESS

Quality minerals are very dense and finely textured. You’ll notice only a small amount is required to get the coverage you need, and unlike conventional makeup and foundation, it won’t look cakey and won’t feel bulky due to its light weight.

Because mineral makeup is so versatile, you’ll find yourself using less product to create shadows, blush, liner shades and much more without having to purchase individual products for each need.

MINERAL MAKEUP LASTS LONGER

A quality mineral makeup or foundation will retain coverage far longer than a cream-based product, and won’t require repeat applications. This means you’ll be spending less while doing more.

MINERAL MAKEUP IS TALC-FREE

Mineral makeup contains absolutely no talc – an ingredient still commonly found in many consumer goods that has recently stirred up great controversy.  Some talc contains asbestos which the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies as carcinogenic to humans. With the American Cancer Society taking an overall cautionary stance on talc, it’s clear that this ingredient should be left on the shelf. 

MINERAL MAKEUP IS EFFECTIVE FOR FINE LINES

Yes, talc is commonly found in conventional makeup. It's added to fill fine lines and reduce their appearance. Unfortunately, over time fine lines and creases expand as the talc settles, leading to more product being required as fine lines become more pronounced.

On the other hand, mica found in mineral makeup reflects light and reduces the appearance of fine lines. There is no need for filling-in fine lines and no need for synthetic additives. This is why mineral makeup is known to feel silky smooth and act as a “second skin”.

MINERAL MAKEUP PROTECTS FROM THE SUN

Our skin is exposed to sun most days.  Daily activities such as walking the dog or driving to work are often not considerations for using sunblock, and most people only use sunblock during longer, planned intervals of exposure. However, over time these short intervals contribute to photoaging, which leads to wrinkling, leathering and even skin cancer.

When compared to traditional thick, creamy foundation, mineral makeup won’t smudge in heat and contains both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are both commonly found in sunblock.   These ingredients create the natural added benefit of sun protection, and when applied on top of sun screen, they create an extra barrier to help prevent against sun damage. This in turn can help retain more youthful-looking skin over time.

For more information and to discover some of our high-quality mineral makeup products made right here in Canada, visit our website.