Mineral makeup - pros and cons
More and more companies are discovering the skin-enhancing benefits of mineral makeup. Many even claim that minerals are good for the skin. Many spas and salons carry their own versions of mineral cosmetics. Competition is certainly growing. Consumers are now faced with an array of mineral and hybrid makeup choices. In order to be able to determine whether these products are good for you, we would like to provide you with a few facts. A few naturally-occurring elements protect skin. Zinc oxide for example, is a natural sunblock. It is found in many products, from diaper rash ointments to lip balms. Titanium dioxide also blocks UVA and UVB rays. Iron oxide adds some color. Mica and malachite particles reflect light off the skin, and can appear to minimize fine lines. Silica absorbs oil. The minerals used in cosmetics are the same grade; the difference lies in the milling process. More finely ground minerals produce a fine, silky texture. Loose powder is the purest form, and should be applied evenly with a natural-bristle brush. A moisturizer should be applied, to help it adhere to skin. Pressed powder and liquid form use more additives, and should be applied with a synthetic-bristle brush. The beauty of mineral cosmetics is the fact that they sit on the skin, rather than being absorbed by it. Thus, they enhance the look of the skin while allowing it to breathe. Conventional cosmetics contain ingredients that are absorbed into the skin. A few well-known companies offer natural mineral makeup. A few are indicated below.
|
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb