November 16, 2007, Newsletter Issue #241: How Natural Is Mineral Makeup?

Tip of the Week

Most mineral makeup companies claim that their mineral-based products are “so natural” you can sleep in them. But how true is that, really? How different is mineral makeup versus regular makeup?

Mineral-based foundations came on to the market with a big bang when the company Bare Escentuals introduced their i.d. bareMinerals makeup. Mineral foundation is essentially crushed minerals that are free of preservatives, talc, oil and fragrance. People with sensitive skin usually responds well to mineral makeup because it's made up of fewer ingredients. They do share some of the same ingredients as regular makeup though, like mica or titanium dioxide.

As far as the coverage goes, it’s sheer to medium depending on how many layers you buff on with a powder brush. On the plus side, it is good for all skin types because it’s oil-free. Bare Escentuals basic mineral foundation goes for around $25. Lucky for us, more budget-friendly options are now available at the drugstore level because it seems that every cosmetics company has jumped on the mineral bandwagon lately. L’Oreal has a mineral foundation called Bare Naturale ($12). In most cases, you can just use a light coverage with this makeup. Just dust a light layer over your t-zone and chin, or any other areas that are red and uneven.

 Even though mineral makeup may have fewer ingredients than traditional makeup, you still need to wash it off at night. During the day dirt, oil, and bacteria accumulate on the skin and need to be removed before you go to bed.

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