Mineral Oil In Cosmetics

Try moisturizers and makeup that can take the heat

It has been one crazy, hot summer and not in a good way, especially if you're a person who wears makeup.

I don't wear makeup, but my friends who do have had dreaded makeup and skin issues this summer. In this heat, their makeup is runnier than eggs over easy, and they're having unwanted Taylor Momsen raccoon eyes, not the sexier smoky eye. And I can't forget to mention their breakouts and dry and achy skin.

On a 100-plus-degree day last week, I reached out to some of Austin's top skin specialists and makeup artists for tips for dealing with too much sun, smudged makeup and what to do to keep your skin looking polished and fresh, especially now that the social season is about to pick up.

"The skin is always changing," said Marisa Hernandez, creator of Inventive Eco-Organic skin care line, which is sold at locations such as Mecca Gym & Spa, Milk + Honey Spa, Sabia and W3LL People. "This summer is terrible for dehydrated skin."

Austin makeup artist Clarissa Luna, the North American Hairstyling Awards Makeup Artist of the Year, couldn't agree more. "So it's important to keep hydrated both internally and externally," she said.

Drink water. Got it. Check.

Now what's the key for making makeup work during the summer months and into the early fall? I'm sure we'll have more 100-degree days this month.

"As far as the summer heat (goes), makeup can only stay on for so long," Luna said.

Men and women tend to cut back on moisturizer if they believe their skin is producing oil. Cutting back is not smart, especially if you wear makeup. Turns out makeup needs some moisture to stick and stay in place, Luna said.

To prepare your skin, Luna suggested using a silicone-based primer such as MAC Cosmetics' Prep & Prime Skin lotion, which helps with oil production and, best of all, allows your makeup to stay on your face. She said a big must is using a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30 under your primer.

"We may not want our makeup running off, but we really don't want wrinkles," she said.

For a matte finish and to keep your makeup looking fresh, try mattifiers such as Absence from Jane Iredale and Secret Finish-Mattifying from Laura Mercier, said makeup artist Kandy Glass, owner of FaceKandy (www.facekandy.com).

Her favorite makeup and skin products include oil-free foundations such as Amazing Base from Jane Iredale and Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation from Bobbi Brown.

She also suggested using Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadows (the eyeshadows claim to last up to 12 hours without creasing) and waterproof mascaras, which shouldn't smudge in the under-eye area.

Articles 20VN | Bismuth Oxychloride in Mineral Makeup | bismuth ...

Does this scenario sound familiar? You've worn traditional makeup for years with little to no irritation. Upon hearing about the benefits of mineral makeup, you decide to give it a try. After all, it claims to be better for your skin and healthier overall, so what have you got to lose? And if you've never been able to wear traditional makeup without irritation, mineral makeup sounds like the answer you've been looking for. You buy your first jar and begin wearing it immediately.

Except... you're having a reaction you've never had before to makeup. Your skin may be red, irritated, itching, having small bumps or pustules, burning or looking swollen. What is this? How can mineral makeup cause such an extreme reaction?

That reaction is likely caused by the ingredient bismuth oxychloride. While bismuth oxychloride is a common ingredient in traditional makeup, as well as mineral makeup, it is used in much higher concentrations in mineral makeup. There are no fillers in mineral makeup like there are in traditional cosmetics (talc, mineral oil, aluminum powder, alcohols and parabens), so the few ingredients left, including bismuth oxychloride, make up more of the recipe.

Why Is Bismuth Oxychloride Used In Makeup?

Is it used in makeup because it gives the makeup a silky feel, good slip (this means it applies well to the skin and doesn't drag or grab on the skin) and good adhesion, which helps it stay on your skin. It feels smooth and silky when rubbed between the fingers. It is often described as a lustrous crystalline powder.

It is not the most expensive ingredient, nor is it the least expensive. It is, however, an industry standard and very common. It also gives a visible sheen to the makeup, so it's good at refracting light and that helps draw attention away from, and camouflage, fine lines, wrinkles and minor discolorations. That's a great selling point for makeup.

What Is Bismuth Oxychloride?

Bismuth oxychloride is an inorganic white pigment, and usually comes in two forms: diamond and pearl finishes. The diamond is shimmery and the pearl is more matte. It's formula is BiOCl.

If you look on the periodic table of elements, you'll notice plain old bismuth at atomic number 83, with the symbol Bi. It is the least toxic of it's periodic table neighbors like lead, tin, antimony and polonium. Bismuth in itself is not safe for use in cosmetics, and must be refined and combined with other elements to produce bismuth oxychloride.

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