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Mineral powder is considered the safest makeup product that is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and problematic. It’s time to find out what are the advantages of this product and whether it has disadvantages.
Features of mineral powder
Powders with mineral particles are perhaps the most popular product in the foundation category. Hiding imperfections of the skin, minerals do not irritate it and do not cause clogging of pores. For this, mineral powder is so loved by owners of sensitive and problem skin.
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Initially, powders from ground minerals were used in aesthetic medicine clinics to mask redness and speed up rehabilitation after traumatic procedures. Now mineral-labeled powder is in almost every cosmetic bag. But before talking about the benefits of this remedy, let’s find out which powder can be considered mineral.
The color of the mineral powder comes from iron oxide.
Compact or loose?
Loose powder
Strictly speaking, only loose powder has the right to be called mineral, since it is a powder of crushed minerals, without any impurities. This powder does not contain:
perfume;
preservatives;
dyes.
Loose mineral powder is fine enough to even out the color and texture of the skin, but its particles do not react with the cells of the epidermis. That is why for owners of capricious or inflamed skin, this is just a godsend.
Color powder, 100% composed of minerals, gives a specially processed iron oxide, and the palette is as close as possible to natural skin tones.
Loose mineral powder is best applied wide brush and use as the only foundation if the skin is severely irritated, or to fix makeup.
The shelf life of such powder is almost unlimited, since bacteria do not multiply in a mineral environment.
Owners of skin prone to dryness, mineral powder should be used with caution.
Compact powder
Contains mineral particles in a certain concentration and is not mineral, but mineralized product. The composition of compact (as well as liquid) formats of mineral products always includes additional ingredients:
technical, giving the texture plasticity and varying degrees of density;
caring – for different skin types.
Mineral compact powder and mineralized cream powder are applied with a sponge. They can be used as standalone tones.
How to choose mineral powder
Mineral powder is considered a universal product that any skin will gladly accept. We do not argue, but we will outline some important nuances.
For dry skin
The most acceptable option is a compact cream powder enriched with minerals. But mineral powder in its pure form (that is, loose) is not suitable for dry or flaky skin. Why? Explains medical expert Vichy Ekaterina Turubara:
Loose mixtures without caring additives will emphasize imperfections by absorbing the remnants of moisture and sebum. If you can’t do without mineral powder, you need to carefully moisturize the face with cream and wait for it to be completely absorbed, otherwise the makeup will become stained.”
For oily skin
Mineral powder is the best option for skin with a greasy sheen, inability to “hold” makeup and a tendency to breakouts. Minerals absorb excess sebum, mattifying the skin, and also have an anti-inflammatory effect. That is, they solve the main problems of oily skin.
For combination skin
Advantages and disadvantages
The disadvantages include perhaps the ability of some minerals to dry the skin. Otherwise, they act in the interests of the skin:
copper and zinc have an antibacterial effect;
silicon has a sebum-regulating effect;
kaolin, perlite absorb sebum;
titanium dioxide reflects UV rays;
selenium protects against free radicals;
calcium soothes the skin.
Composition of mineral powder
Color cosmetics use mineral components from various sources, such as:
volcanic rocks;
thermal water;
crystals grown in the laboratory.
Genuine Mineral Loose Powder contains nothing but mineral powder. But the compact powder formula can be supplemented with care components. True, their list is small.
Oils, waxes and lightweight silicones provide easy application and skin protection.
Plant extracts soften the skin.
Vitamins have an antioxidant effect, protecting the skin from free radicals, and the formula from spoilage.
Acids fight with imperfections of oily and problematic skin.
Rules of application
When applying mineral powder, you should follow a few rules.
Loose powder is best applied with a wide brush.
Moisturize your face with a cream or fluid according to your skin type.
Wait until the agent is completely absorbed.
Apply the powder in layers, in small portions.
For loose powder use a brush, for compact powder use a sponge.
Any mineral powder can be used as the main make-up tool; it does not require prior application of foundation. You can also use powder to set makeup or mattify your skin.
Remember: mineral powder is decorative cosmetics. And despite all the useful properties, in the evening it must be removed. Leaving makeup at night, you run the risk of clogging pores and earning blackheads, and even inflammation.
Overview of mineral powders
Compact powder Dermablend Covermatte, SPF 25, for normal to oily skin, Vichy
Hides imperfections and mattifies the skin for 12 hours. In addition to mineral particles, it contains zinc gluconate, known for its sebum-regulating action, salicylic acid and vitamin E. Apply to well-cleansed and moisturized skin in circular motions from the center to the periphery. You can add an extra layer to certain areas to hide age spots, redness, post-acne marks.
Mineral Face Powder Alliance Perfect, L’Oréal Paris
Provides smooth, even coverage while allowing skin to breathe and improve its condition. It has a comfortable texture and mattifying effect. Apply starting from the center of the face to the periphery, directly on the skin or over foundation.
Face powder Infaillible, L’Oréal Paris
Controls oily sheen and ensures make-up hold thanks to perlite, a mineral of volcanic origin that has absorbent properties, spreads evenly over the skin and does not dry it out.