Friday 8 August 2008

skin health and mineral makeup


Tell Me More About Mineral Based Cosmetics, Sun Protection, and Nano Sized Particles


How do pure mineral cosmetics revitalize and maintain healthy skin? There are excellent properties in mineral based cosmetics that promote healthy skin recognized by dermatologists. Dermatologists typically recommend high quality mineral based cosmetics that are free of irritating dyes, oils, perfumes, preservatives or chemicals, and free of nano-sized particles. Usually, they will prefer the use of natural inorganic minerals that sooth and heal the skin, natural pigments, and cosmetics that are loaded with super-antioxidants. Many women claim tremendous improvement in the quality of their skin within a short period of time after switching to a high quality mineral makeup product. Be sure to check the ingredients when purchasing mineral based cosmetics to avoid brands with inferior ingredients.


Do mineral based cosmetics heal the skin?

Pure mineral cosmetics use revitalizing minerals with properties that are excellent for acne, rosecea, and irritated skin. Acne and rosecea benefit from zinc oxide as it promotes healing to the skin and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Titanium dioxide and zinc hold in natural moisture, keeping the skin healthy and hydrated, and they allow the skin to breathe without clogging the pores. Antioxidants such as grape seed extract or pomegranate extract neutralize free radicals that cause damage to the skin and aging.


Are pores able to breathe?

Finely crushed pure mineral makeup allows the skin to breathe. Pores do not become clogged from using lightweight minerals and non-organic pigments. Whereas, heavier makeup can be absorbed into pores which can cause irritation, acne, and infection. With pure mineral makeup, sensitive skin conditions as acne, rosecea, and dry skin are soothed and not irritated.


More on anti-aging benefits

High quality pure mineral cosmetics are loaded with anti-oxidants such as grape seed extract that have anti-aging properties. Grape seed extract interrupts enzyme reactions that break down skin firming collagen. The mineral super oxide dismutase (SOD) has the property of neutralizing free radicals that age skin. In addition, vitamin A provides natural retention of moisture in skin.


Do mineral based cosmetics provide UVA-UVB protection?

Pure mineral based cosmetics use titanium dioxide as a natural sunscreen. Titanium dioxide acts as UVA-UVB protection reflecting light and protecting your skin in sunlight. Zinc is a natural anti-inflammatory. High quality mineral based cosmetics will stay on your skin when sweating or moderate swimming. So they have both SPF (sun protection) properties and water proofing properties. Most mineral based cosmetics have about SPF 15 on average.


What is the big deal about Nano sized particles?

Make-up that contains nano-sized particles are questionable as these particles are more easily absorbed into the body. Nano particles are useful in the cosmetic industry. For example, nano sized particles can encapsulate vitamin A and deliver it deeper into the skin. Nano sized ingredients are 10 to 1,000 times smaller than normally sized powder particles. Nano technology used in products are an important area of research and their impact on health and safety need to be further understood. There are conflicting opinions and research articles that have been published about using nano particles on the skin. Some state it is not a concern and others state it is something to worry about as nano-sized particles can be found in deeper tissues soon after skin contact. Another body of research points to inhalation of nano particles as a potential problem as well. Avoiding products with ingredients that have nano-sized particles is definitely a safer direction to take and be sure to look for products that ensure they do not use nano-particles.


What about fragrance in cosmetics?

Fragrances are the most common cause of irritation to the skin. Fragrances can be completely natural. However, most fragrances contain chemicals as phthalates that are used to make the scent last longer. Phthalates are unnatural and unhealthy. It is known that sometimes artificial chemical fragrances can accumulate in the body and breast milk. Fragrance formulas can trigger asthma and headaches. Be cautious when you look for an unscented product. Even though it is labeled unscented, an additional chemical may be used to cover up the original fragrance! So check the ingredients and become informed about your cosmetic products. You will find that pure mineral based cosmetics do not use fragrances.


Why aren't preservatives used in pure mineral based cosmetics?

Cosmetics made from pure minerals and inorganic pigments that exist in nature do not need preservatives. Bacterial and fungal growth do not occur in completely dry pure mineral based cosmetics. Therefore, pure mineral cosmetics can be used for long term, up to two years. Preservatives are used in cosmetics that are not completely dry. These are subject to bacterial and fungal growth. Unfortunately, preservatives can cause irritation, acne, and infection to the skin. Preservatives are one of the main ingredients in most fragrances.


Are pure mineral based cosmetics good for the environment?

When friendly non-toxic ingredients are used in manufacturing products, the water systems are not contaminated as you wash the cosmetics off. Mineral based cosmetics are non-toxic and not based on non renewable resources as petroleum.

How do I find mineral based cosmetics that offer these qualities?

Many inexpensive cosmetics use an inferior grade of ingredients so be careful with checking what you are buying and putting on your largest organ, your skin. High quality pure mineral makeup will tend to use highest quality ingredients such as pharmaceutical grade minerals, certified organic antioxidants, and nano-free particles. Higher quality mineral cosmetics tend to last longer, and are a much much better value in the long run considering the value of your health. Look on the web for pure mineral makeup companies that ensure they are non-toxic, nano-free, and preservative-free. Always check product ingredients on the Mineral Foundation Ingredient List or the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep Report. We recommend a great choice for high quality pure mineral cosmetics can be found at carefreebeauty.eu and carefreebeauty.us.


Written by: Rena Sperling

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