How Minerals In Makeup Affect Your Skin

By: Ozi U. & Jess W.

Mineral Introduction

The question we have researched is “How do minerals in makeup affect your skin?” We believe that is a question that others might be curious to know the answers to. Many girls and women wear makeup daily. We believe that it is important to inform them about the contents in the products they purchase because of possible benefits or consequences.

We chose two mineral ingredients from each cosmetic category to focus on.

• Concealer – mineral oil & iron oxide

• Foundation – mica & titanium dioxide

• Eye Liner - silica silylate & iron oxide

• Lipstick – iron oxide & titanium dioxide

• Mascara – silica & iron oxide

We chose two mineral ingredients from each cosmetic category to focus on.

• Concealer – Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil) & mica

• Foundation – titanium dioxide & sodium chloride

• Eye Liner – iron oxide & chromium oxide

• Lipstick – mineral oil & microcrystalline wax

• Mascara – silica & iron oxide

We chose two mineral ingredients from each cosmetic category to focus on.

• Concealer – mica & titanium dioxide

• Foundation – iron oxide & mica

• Eye Liner – microcrystalline wax & silica silylate

• Lipstick – iron oxide & titanium dioxide

• Mascara – iron oxide & silica

Iron Oxide

Iron oxide has iron and oxygen in it. It is resistant to moisture and it does not bleed. It is used in sunscreen and cosmetics. However, iron oxide can leave a white coating on your skin. People do not want this outcome when they are using makeup to cover up things they don’t want to be seen by others. If your skin comes in contact with inorganic iron oxides, you may have allergic reactions. Another problem is photosensitivity. Having photosensitivity could also lead to skin cancer.

Iron oxides can be found in many cosmetic products such as this eye shadow palette.

Mica

The mineral mica can be found in rocks or crystals. It is a silicate mineral that is used in cosmetics to give a product their shimmery look. Using mica on ones face reflects light causing their face to appear smoother and more radiant. This mineral is usually considered safe for your skin.

In this eye shadow palette, you can find mica pigments that give the eyelids a shimmery look.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is a clear liquid and a natural product. It is used as a skin protectant. That means when it is applied to the skin, it helps protect and relieves skin if it is irritated or exposed. It moisturizes skin and reduces the amount of water you loose through the outer layer of skin.

Inside of this Covergirl product there is mineral oil.

Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is a mineral that can be found in many products from paint to food to cosmetics. It is white, opaque, and a naturally- occurring mineral. It is a white pigment, and is used as sunscreen. It protects skin from UVA and UVB radiation and has no risk of skin irritation. It also provides better sun protection and is a popular ingredient in whitening formulas because it provides a bright reflection.

This picture is showing skin care products and cosmetics with the chemical formula for titanium dioxide.

Silica Silylate

Silica silylate is a silica used in cosmetics and personal care products. It’s found in cosmetics and lip products because of its ability to thicken while moisturizing, and provides long-lasting wear, a discrete shining effect, and long-lasting properties which show bright color without a greasy or sticky feel.

One of the ingredients inside of these cosmetics is silica silylate.

Microcrystalline Wax

Microcrystalline Wax is a specific type of wax created by de-oiling petroleum. It is used for waterproof Mascara as a water repelling agent. It is also used in eyeliner pencils as a structure formation agent and in pressed powder as a binder to add softness. Microcrystalline wax is also used in lipsticks for structure formation. These waxes lessen the amount of fragileness of these products and add strength and stability to lipsticks. With the ability to bind oils & solvents (which prevent sweating of lipsticks), the crystals insure strength & consistency. It also insures color uniformity in color cosmetics and is compatible with all kinds of oils & waxes.

In this tube of lipstick from bareMinerals, one of the mineral ingredients is microcrystalline wax.

Sodium Chloride

Sodium chloride is a salt. If you have sodium chloride in your cosmetics, it can cause skin and eye irritation. Sodium chloride is safe overall and does not cause cancer and is non-toxic.

This photo depicts a rash on the skin due to irritation from sodium chloride.

Suggestions

Based on the conclusions we have come to through our research, we suggest that you check the ingredients before purchasing products to see if your skin would have any negative reactions to certain ingredients. Do not plan on using eyeliner consisting of kohl. Kohl is a lead-based toxic metal. We suggest that you find products that have mineral oils in them because they moisturize the skin. They are natural and help protect your skin. Mineral makeup is also safer for sensitive skin and recommended by dermatologists.

This woman is wearing eyeliner that has kohl in it.

This picture shows mineral makeup.

End

This concludes our presentation on how minerals in makeup affect your skin.