Consumers are more aware of the dangers of the chemicals and ingredients found in everyday items, and brands are taking notes. In the cosmetics industry, this shift resulted in the rise of mineral makeup. Many people have tried switching to mineral makeup from their conventional makeup, after discovering that it doesn’t contain many of the harmful ingredients found in traditional products. But if you’re new to mineral makeup and find that your skin is reacting adversely, breaking out, itching, or turning blotchy, your composition may contain ingredients you are sensitive too.
Dermatologists and aestheticians recommend the use of mineral makeup to people with acne, rosacea, sensitive skin, or oily skin because these products contain inorganic colorants that are less likely to cause allergic reactions and irritations. However, some people are experiencing allergic reactions due to cheap ingredients mixed in lower-cost mineral makeup that aren’t gentle on the skin.
Potential Allergic Reactions to Mineral Makeup
Despite a connection to healthier ingredients, any product that contains minerals can be sold as a mineral cosmetic, even those with synthetic dyes and preservatives. This can mislead the consumer and potentially trigger a negative and unwanted reaction. Some symptoms that suggest allergic reaction include:
Redness and inflammation
For some users, they experience redness of skin that feels inflamed. Though signs may be minimal, it can also be more severe. Some people reported having red or raw-looking skin, as well as swelling, that is caused by mineral makeup. It’s most probably due to a combination of ingredients such as bismuth oxychloride, mica, and zinc oxide.
Itchiness
A user can experience discomfort and itchiness. If mineral makeup makes your face itch, there are a couple of possible explanations. You may be sensitive to titanium dioxide, which creates a feeling of itching and discomfort when you sweat. It can also have something to do with your technique of application, such as buffing mineral products aggressively. Also, check if when was the last time you cleaned your brush and makeup applicators. The dirt and sebum that has accumulated on it may be causing the itch.
Severe dryness
Another common reaction to mineral makeup is dry, flaky, or patchy-looking skin. It’s challenging to wear mineral makeup if you have naturally dry skin. But there’s a difference between a product that accentuates dryness and makes the problem even worse. Ingredients like silica and kaolin dehydrate the skin, causing tightness, highlighting imperfections, and making a face appear older.
Blemishes and acne flare-ups
One of the most common signs of allergy is a breakout of a pimple or two shortly after using a product. It’s an indication of an adverse reaction to the makeup. Acne breakout or flare-ups are often the results of mineral products containing bismuth oxychloride. This ingredient is often found to be the cause of flare-ups in people with highly sensitive skin.
Eyelid rash
For people with eye allergies, finding gentle makeup for the eyes is crucial. Sadly, many eyeshadows and eye makeup products contain bismuth oxychloride and mica in their formulations. An eyelid rash is often the result of these two ingredients coming into close contact with the skin. It’s more likely to appear on people with a history of eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea.
What Causes Allergies in Mineral Makeup
Though there are sellers of true mineral makeup, some people can still develop allergic reactions to these products. If you are prone to getting allergies, always check the ingredients on the labels to be sure. If you already experienced a makeup-related allergy in the past, or if you know you have sensitive skin, here are certain ingredients to be wary of:
Bismuth oxychloride
Bismuth oxychloride is one of the main ingredients often found in lower quality mineral makeup. It’s the common reason for having an allergic reaction to mineral makeup. Typically, this ingredient is added to bring shine and create a dewy finish to products, which is desirable because most mineral-based products can be drying to the skin. It adds a pearlescent effect to the makeup, making it glide on smoother to the skin.
The downside to adding bismuth oxychloride is it can feel heavy on the skin. It can also lead to clogged pores, itching, and irritated skin. If you find yourself getting allergic to mineral makeup, try one without bismuth oxychloride and see the difference.
Mica
Mica is another problematic ingredient for people with sensitive skin. Not everyone will have a reaction to small doses of mica, for it is an inert ingredient (meaning it’s not chemically reactive, thus rarely causing allergies). The reason why people experience redness and inflammation after using makeup is due to chemical coatings. In creating makeup, different chemicals are used to improve the finish, texture, and staying power, and this leads to allergies. To prevent this, make sure that the mica content of a product is low down on the ingredient list or not listed at all.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
People rarely experience an allergic reaction with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as these two ingredients are often used in mineral makeup. Both are active in providing sun protection, keeping the skin safe from harmful UV rays. These ingredients are the reason why most mineral makeup can claim that their product has a built-in sunscreen. However, both these ingredients can still cause a reaction in some people. Though these metals are not allergens, their ions can bind to biological protein molecules and convert them into proteins that may cause allergies.
Carmine
If you experienced an allergic reaction to a mineral-based product, carmine is another culprit. This is a harmless material for most people, but it can be an irritant to some. Carmine is a dark red pigment made of crushed shells of insects like the cochineal beetle. It adds vibrancy to colors and increases the longevity of the makeup. This ingredient is often found in lipsticks and eyeshadows and is commonly used instead of synthetic red, pink, and purple dyes. This ingredient can cause reactions such as swollen eyelids, itching, watery eyes, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
Boron nitride
Since bismuth oxychloride causes problems for some people, it only makes sense to have an alternative ingredient. Boron nitride is often used as an oil absorber and a provider of a healthy-looking sheen. However, this additive can dehydrate the skin and make existing dryness worse.
Tips to Protect Your Skin from Allergies
It is important to shop smart and avoid potentially harmful ingredients to protect your skin. The best ways to do these include:
1. Read labels before you buy them
This is the most effective way to avoid an allergic reaction. Before buying any mineral makeup, make sure that none of the ingredients mentioned above are included. If they are, look for an alternative brand. For some products, the ingredients may not be written on the product itself, so it’s best to perform a quick search online to check the ingredients of the product.
2. Choose makeup with a short ingredients list
Most products have a lengthy list of ingredients, so if you’re looking for natural makeup that’s less likely to irritate, avoid anything with additives. The smaller the ingredient list, the better. You should be able to identify most of the items and recognize if they are preservatives, chemicals, or synthetic dyes.
3. Check reviews online
Before trying out something new, it’s better to check reviews of other users. Check Amazon reviews of buyers, as well as websites with reviews from beauty enthusiasts and people with specific skin conditions. Browse some of them and see if anyone else reported an allergic reaction. If you can see some, consider other products or try out a sample before purchasing.
4. Don’t delay proper treatment
No matter how careful you are, sometimes a reaction can still happen. During instances like this, make sure you take good care of your skin. Stop using the product that caused the allergy, and give your skin time to heal and breathe. Keep it clean, and use a soothing gel-like aloe vera gel to speed up healing. If no changes happen, consult a dermatologist and ask about the necessary treatment options for your condition.