Nature's Minerals: Makeup That's Good For Your Skin?

One of the hottest trends in make-up today is loose-powder mineral cosmetics. With brand names like "naked", "bare" and "pure", one would think that mineral makeup is one of the best products for your skin. To a point that's true. Because many of the traditional additives in cosmetics - fragrance, filler, binders, synthetic dyes and preservatives - are not a part of mineral makeup, these new, "natural" cosmetics are easier on the skin, but don't be fooled. According to WebMD, the major mineral components in this trendy new make-up "have been the basis of most makeup foundations for decades." What's more, many of the ingredients are actually synthetically formulated, which takes "nature" right out of the picture, in a manner of speaking.

Here's the lowdown on the 4 most common "minerals" found in today's hottest cosmetics:

Iron Oxide. More commonly known as rust, certain isotopes of iron oxide have been used since prehistoric times as pigments, paints and dyes. Different chemical configurations create different colors, most often red, brown, yellow and black tones. There is a large concentration of iron oxide on Mars, thus giving it the red hue, and the nickname "the red planet". According to Wikipedia, however: "Iron oxides graded safe for cosmetic use are produced synthetically in order to avoid the inclusion of ferrous or ferric oxides, and impurities normally found in naturally occurring iron oxides."

Nature's own minerals being replicated in a lab? Doesn't sound very "natural" to me!

Titanium Dioxide. From paint, to sunscreen to food coloring, this naturally occurring substance has also been used in cosmetics for decades - primarily as a thickener and, more recently, for the SPF protection that it provides. Most dermatologists would agree, however that no matter the SPF, mineral makeup by itself is not enough sun protection for the skin of your face. Dermatologists recommend a minimum SPF rating of 25 for face protection. And never tuck yourself in at night without washing your face. No makeup is pure enough "to sleep in it". Plus the recent concerns over the recent classification of titanium dioxide as a "group 2B carcinogen" have people reexamining the benefits of the mineral. This classification indicates that the mineral could be potentially carcinogenic to humans, as it has been found to cause cancer in rats that inhaled the particles.

As most mineral makeups are in a loose, powder form, it is unclear at this point if it will pose a future threat to humans. One of the biggest complaints regarding mineral makeup is the loose powder spillage and dispersion in the air during application. According to WebMD, however, the fine particulate matter of the makeup may pose other concerns. "Minerals like zinc and titanium are safe when applied to healthy skin but in a micronized nanoparticle form, there remains a concern, particularly when applied to damaged skin, or when inhaled".

Mica. Though to be derived from an ancient word for "glitter", mica's light diffusing properties have made it a component in eye colors for decades. Highly heat resistant, mica has been prized for centuries and is the predominant component of the sun pyramid just outside of Mexico City. In mineral makeup, mica is used to reflect light, create a shimmering effect or to help disguise fine lines by "bending" light. Mica was extremely rare and prized throughout Europe during the 19th century. Now, mica is easily refined and is one of the truly natural minerals in cosmetics today.

Kaolin/ Kaolinite. This earthy clay hardens to a soft, chalk-like substance. This nearly white mineral is prevalent around the globe, and is another true mineral in mineral cosmetics. Because of the absorbent nature of clay, it adheres more uniformly to the contours of facial skin and holds its position better than most liquid foundations. It is kaolin and other clays like it (some companies are using "Mediterranean" clay, commonly known as illite, which is a cousin to kaolinite) that gives mineral make-up the long lasting coverage for which it is popular.

So if you have to choose, mineral make-up is probably the lesser of all cosmetic evils, and even a great choice for people with acne-prone skin. The clay helps to absorb excess oils, and gives a "flawless" professional finish with even coverage. One mineral to steer clear of, however is bismuth oxychloride. While this element is technically a mineral, it does not occur naturally, and "Bismuth is a byproduct of lead and copper processing" according to the experts at WebMD. It is strongly cautioned that people with sensitive skin, rosacea or chronic acne avoid this ingredient, as it "is considered a skin irritant and can cause itching and rashes and in large amounts it can cause cystic acne."

For normal to oily skin, makeup made from nature's minerals are a blessing, but for dry/sensitive skin, heavy applications of mineral makeup can be too drying on the skin, emphasizing fine lines and "weighing down" the skin's appearance. A simple trick to improve the coverage without applying a second coat? Mist your face to add a bit of moisture before applying the makeup, and consider using a less diffuse applicator brush. The smaller the brush, the heavier and more direct the coverage. As technology and testing catches up with this cosmetic trend, watch for mineral makeup that is actually proven suitable for sensitive skin. It's only a matter of time.
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Lisa M. Robbin Young gives "face time" to hundreds of women each month, as a skin care consultant, author and entrepreneur. Sign up for her free newsletter, "Beauty Remarks" and get a free copy of her book, "Saving Face" at http://www.lisamrobbin.com/savingface.aspx

Summer Sunscreen Mistakes, Myths and Solutions

(ARA) - Spring sun and the approach of summer remind many of us to get diligent about applying sunscreen before heading outdoors. But is that enough to protect your skin this summer? More than 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society.

"Changes in the environment and popular misconceptions make it more important than ever to take steps that will minimize your exposure to cancer-causing UV rays," says Dr. Jessica Wu, resident dermatologist at EverydayHealth.com, the number 2 health destination online, and a clinical instructor in dermatology at USC Medical School. "May is national Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention month and now is a good time to get educated about how to protect your skin from the sun."

Nearly half of all Americans will develop skin cancer by the time they're 65, according to the National Cancer Institute. Here are some common summer sunscreen mistakes and myths . . . and their solutions:

Mistake: Only applying sunscreen at the beach.

There are two types of Ultra-violet (UV) rays: UVBs, which cause sunburns and UVAs, which cause skin cancer. While UVB rays can't pass through glass, UVAs do and they're present year-round during daylight hours. You are exposed through the windshield on your drive to work, through the window in your office or when you go outside for lunch or to run errands.

What you can do: Remember to use sunscreen daily, not just on the weekends.

Make sunscreen a daily habit for your kids as well. "Sun exposure in childhood is closely linked to skin cancer risk," Dr. Wu says. "Research has shown that having more than five blistering sunburns in childhood will double your risk of developing melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, later in life."

Myth: Believing a higher SPF guarantees a stronger sunscreen.

Actually, a sunscreen with SPF 30 only gives you 4 percent more UVB (sunburn) protection compared to SPF 15.To give you adequate protection, your sunscreen should also provide UVA protection.

What you can do: To protect yourself, learn to read labels. Look for a sunscreen with at least SPF 15, and ingredients like zinc, titanium, or Mexoryl, which protect you from UVA rays. If you know what ingredients to look for, you can find a good sunscreen on any budget.

Mistake: Going to a tanning salon to get a "base tan" thinking it will protect you from sun damage and skin cancer.

The "safe" tanning beds many tanning salons claim to offer use mainly UVA rays, and block out UVB (burning) rays. You won't burn, but you'll be getting a large dose of cancer-causing UVA rays. One study showed that people aged 35 or younger who used tanning beds regularly had eight times the risk of developing melanoma compared to those who never used tanning beds. Another study showed that women who used tanning beds at least once a month were 55 percent more likely to develop melanoma, the most deadly skin cancer.

What you can do: Don't use tanning beds - ever. "There is no such thing as a safe tan, and tanning beds, because of the UVA rays they use, are particularly dangerous," says Dr. Wu.

Despite the risk, more people than ever - of all ages and both sexes - are using tanning beds. In fact, the number of Americans using tanning beds in the past decade has doubled. Some states have legislation to limit tanning bed use among minors.

Mistake: Not reapplying sunscreen.

With summer heat and humidity, sunscreen rubs off and sweats off; if you go in the pool or ocean, it washes off, leaving your skin unprotected.

What you can do: For optimal sun protection, remember to reapply sunscreen when you get out of the water and every three to four hours. If you're not able to wash your face and reapply your makeup in the middle of the day, try touching up with mineral powder (which has zinc, a natural sunscreen) or makeup that contains SPF to boost your sun protection.

Mistake: Forgetting to protect your eyes, ears and lips.

Ears and lips can sunburn quickly and a common sites for skin cancers.

What you can do: Be sure to apply sunscreen to your ears, especially if you have short hair or pull your hair back in a ponytail. Look for lip balm that contains SPF of at least 15. UV rays can cause cataracts, so be sure to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, especially if you're out on the water, which can reflect up to 80 percent of UV rays.

To learn more about how to protect your skin from the sun this summer, visit www.EverydayHealth.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent