Mineral makeup is popular today for many reasons. For one, women want to healthy natural look to their skin when they wear makeup. Using minerals from the earth is one way to accomplish that. But, these helpful minerals are not the only ingredients in some mineral cosmetics.
One such compound that is used as filler in cosmetics is bismuth oxychloride. One component, bismuth, can be located on the periodic table between antimony and arsenic. Natural bismuth is toxic to living organisms when it is burned, but it is the least lethal of its periodic table neighbors.
As filler, bismuth undergoes a refining process to become bismuth oxychloride. The first step involves combining it with another element, chlorine. Hydrochloric acid is produces which is still no good because it is a strong acid. Further addition of oxygen results in a harmless compound used as filler for cosmetics. Bismuth oxychloride can show as diamond or pearl in texture.
Bismuth oxychloride feels silky to the touch. Alone, it resembles a crystalline powder. It provides smooth coverage in mineral makeup and helps the minerals stick to the skin.
As filler in makeup, bismuth oxychloride adds a shine to the skin. Some women like it and some do not. A pearlesque bismuth oxychloride results in a matte finish to your makeup. On the other hand, the diamond texture leaves the skin shimmering.
Flawless coverage with a natural look and feel is the desired effect of mineral makeup. This coverage is achieved with minerals whether bismuth oxychloride is present or not. Some manufacturers don’t use this filler because of its less than desirable properties. Check your makeup labels for any evidence of bismuth oxychloride.
Why you are better off without bismuth oxychloride
1. Bismuth oxychloride adds shine and shimmer to the skin. For many women this look is over the top as far as looking natural. If you have oily skin, the shimmer makes the oily look more noticeable. No one will object to how bronzing from the sun makes their faces look, but they’ll want to eliminate the shining.
2. Large pores appear larger when bismuth oxychloride is present. The compound doesn’t do a good job of concealing that fact. Using makeup is one way to reduce the appearance of larger pores when bismuth oxychloride is not present.
3. Bismuth oxychloride is not a naturally occurring mineral. The basis of mineral makeup is to use natural products to enhance the look and health of your skin. Traditional minerals blend into the skin when it warms and do no harm even to people with skin issues. As a manufactured compound, it can cause problems.
4. Bismuth oxychloride is an irritant to the skin of some women. If you are that unlucky woman, the filler compound can cause skin breakouts, itching, and even rashes on otherwise healthy looking skin. It’s hard to tell if bismuth oxychloride will affect you in this way so it’s safer to avoid it altogether.
If your mineral makeup contains bismuth oxychloride consider switching to one without the compound. Your skin will be healthier for the switch.