For years now, mineral makeup has been all the rage. Touting chemical-free ingredients and skin-perfecting qualities, it seems as though this miracle makeup can do no wrong.

But is it as wonderful as it’s been made out to be? How does it compare with traditional makeup? Is it really that much better?

Read on to find out what mineral makeup is really all about and if you should ditch your traditional makeup for its mineral wonders.

Mineral Makeup and Acne-Prone Skin

Traditional makeup powders usually contain certain chemicals, like Sodium Chloride or Isopropyl Myristate, that have the potential to clog pores, thus instigating acne breakouts and poor complexions. Mineral makeup, on the other hand, contains anti-irritation ingredients (like zinc) that are gentler on skin, leading to fewer breakouts. Mineral makeup also contains less filler ingredients than traditional makeup, which means it won’t clog your pores. Contrary to popular belief, though, mineral makeup won’t cure your acne. It will only serve to help prevent it. Try something like Bloom Cosmetics’ Mineral Plus Sheer Mineral Tint for an extra lightweight makeup that won’t clog pores or cause irritation.

Mineral Makeup and Wrinkles

It is said that mineral makeup is better for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles than traditional makeup. This makes sense, seeing as how most traditional makeups come in liquid or cream form, which are heavier and denser, thus causing fine lines to show up more when a thicker substance settles into it. But some mineral options, like loose powders, can be absorbent instead of moisturizing when applied, and can thus have a slight drying and/or flaking effect on your skin, causing fine lines and wrinkles to stand out a bit more. You’re advised to go with a mineral makeup when you only have few to no fine lines.

Mineral Makeup as an Effective Sunscreen

Mineral makeup contains a healthy portion of zinc and titanium dioxide. Zinc acts as a skin protectant and titanium dioxide as a sunscreen, so mineral makeup really is quite effective when it comes to protecting your skin from the harsh light of day. But there are also many traditional makeups that incorporate SPFs in their ingredients and are effective at protecting skin from the sun. However, the many chemicals contained in traditional makeup may not be a worthwhile tradeoff for the sun protection it offers. It’s best to go with a mineral on this one, but no matter what you choose, make sure your makeup has an SPF higher than 25!

Mineral Makeup and Safety

Mineral makeup is generally considered to be significantly safer than traditional makeup. It doesn’t contain any of the chemicals, dyes or synthetic fragrances of other makeups and is therefore gentler on your skin. Yet, there are some safety concerns with mineral makeup, mainly involving the inhalation of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can be found in loose powders (like mineral powder) and are very tiny and easy to accidentally ingest. When ingested, these nanoparticles can stick to the lungs and become nearly impossible to remove from the body. This can have the same effect on the body as ingesting asbestos, and can cause serious health risks, like bronchial infections or even lung cancer. It is much safer to stick with mineral creams as to avoid any of the aforementioned health risks.

Mineral Makeup and Variety

A common misconception about mineral makeup is that it only comes in loose powder form and is therefore limited in variety. This is why many people ultimately opt for traditional makeup. Actually, mineral makeup has come a long way since its original incarnation as a loose powder. You can now try everything from mineral bronzer to mineral lipstick. This wide variety of different types of mineral makeup make for a much more exciting — and worthwhile — investment.

Sources:
https://beauty.thefuntimesguide.com/natural_mineral_makeup/
https://www.webmd.com/
http://www.beautybythebatch.com/articles/nanoparticlesmineralmakeup.asp
https://www.behindthescenesmakeup.com/beauty-tips-tricks/is-your-makeup-causing-acne/
https://www.paulaschoice.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-paulaschoice_us-Site/en_US/Search-Show?cgid=face