Interesting Publications

Naked Minerals: Natural Goodness For Your Skin

by Samantha Steiner

The ingredients in mineral cosmetics are natural, inert substances found in the earth and then ground into a fine powder. These ingredients are considered to be harmless because of their non-chemically-reactive nature, and they are also great for the skin. They're called "naked minerals" both because of their natural ingredients and because they're nearly invisible on the skin.

There are many benefits of using mineral cosmetics. They are non-comedogenic and hence, are ideally suited for sensitive skin types. Since the mineral makeup powder is extremely fine, they do not clog the skin pores, and hence they keep the skin clean and allow it to breathe. Bacterial growth does not occur because the minerals are inert and inorganic. This is very beneficial for the skin and helps to prevent many skin conditions.

Compared to regular cosmetics, mineral makeup has a lighter, finer texture. Mineral makeup creates a very thin layer of microscopic flat crystals, which act like a filter and create a natural look. The thin application prevents the makeup from smearing easily and helps it look good much longer. The term "naked minerals" is also used for this type of makeup because of its translucence.

These cosmetics do not need added preservatives to increase their shelf life due to their natural and inert composition. Therefore they are free of preservatives such as fillers, dyes, oils, and parabens which could be harmful. The primary ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, both good sunscreen agents, giving the cosmetics a high SPF rating. For this reason, mineral makeup helps protect the skin from cancer. The makeup also contains mica, which gives the skin a softer and smoother appearance by covering up fine lines and wrinkles.

The zinc oxide also has anti-inflammatory properties, which make these cosmetics the ideal choice for applying makeup when there is a skin condition present. The makeup itself promotes healing of the skin condition. Moreover, the natural elements like clay, act to refresh and rejuvenate tired skin.

Styling gurus love naked minerals used in cosmetics. Dermatologists also recommend cosmetics with naked minerals because they are made with natural ingredients. For this reason, mineral powder makeup is better than regular cosmetics, which contain many harsh chemical compounds.

Published March 19th, 2007

Filed in Health, Women