As mineral makeup becomes more popular it seems that every cosmetic company is launching their own version. This article will help you recognize the ingredient differences between standard mineral makeup and mainstream brands of mineral makeup.

Unfortunately, there is no regulation as to how the term “mineral makeup” is used, and therefore any company can use it as a label for nearly any product. Traditional mineral makeup is made from only a few ingredients, which are all typically found in traditional makeup too; natural sunscreens, pigments, shimmer and oil absorbers. Over the years many traditional makeup companies have added to these very simple formulas to produce the products we see on shelves today.

What About Additives?

Preservatives are added to give cosmetics a longer shelf life so if they don’t sell right away they can sit on the shelf and stay fresh much longer. The company saves money on throwing out bad products by doing this.

Colors are made from petroleum by-products, also known as FD&C dyes, because the colors are much more vibrant and varied than natural pigments. FD&C dyes are where the bright yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, purples, blues and greens come from.

 Silicones and waxes are added to make cosmetics glide more easily onto the skin. These ingredients allow the makeup to basically sit on top of your skin, instead of bonding with it, which also means it can be prone to smearing, wearing off and transferring to other people and clothing.

Fillers like talc, silica and cornstarch are added, which are fairly inexpensive but leave the makeup feeling very smooth and silky. It gives the luxury feeling of silk powder without the expense. Fillers also dilute the color intensity of the cosmetics and make many more jars of makeup for the same price than using higher end ingredients. This can be a reason why some women feel like they have to put three or four layers of foundation, eyeshadow or blush on before it becomes visible.

As you get into liquid and cream makeup there are added oils, alcohols, stabilizers and more preservatives. There are also fragrances, botanicals and emulsifiers.