Mineral Makeup And How It Takes Care Of Your Skin

The urge to look good is as old as civilization. Through centuries men and women have used traditional materials that enhance personal appearance. Using such products not only enhanced social acceptability but, boosted self-esteem too.

In the modern age, advancements in chemical research have brought several ingredients useful in cosmetic preparations. These ingredients are cheaper to produce and ensure uniform quality. For example, talc, propylene glycol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone are some common raw materials in cosmetics.

While there is indeed a great spurt in modern cosmetic products, there is also a disturbing conclusion about the undesirable side effects. Most of them are progressive; that is getting worse with continuous use.

Clearly the chemical ingredients are the culprits. Talc is a carcinogendefine associated with ovarian cancerdefine, as is coal tar used as dye in lipsticks. Liver and kidney damage, birth defects and allergy are some of the consequences of long-term use of cosmetics made with synthetic ingredients.

Is there a way out? Sure. In recent times, there is greater awareness about ‘natural’ ingredients and their beneficial features. Cosmetics with ‘100% natural ingredients’ suffer very short shelf life. In any case, some preservatives are necessary to improve their keeping quality. The solution is therefore to prepare the cosmetics from the ingredients and use them completely in one go. This may not be practical at all times.

Scientific research into the biological processes in the human body reveals the immense role of minerals in cell maintenance. So, it makes sense to use cosmetic preparations containing these minerals. What are minerals? They are trace elements that need to be replenished daily to keep the body healthy. Zinc, Selenium, Magnesium and Titanium are some common examples. They play a vital role in helping blood circulation, boost brain performance, improve muscle tone and keep eyes and skin healthy.

Minerals are found in fresh vegetables, fruits, greens, sprouted and wholegrain foods. They are also catalysts for transformation of fatty acids and cleaning up free radicals through their powerful antioxidant effect.

Manufacturers were quick to realize the benefit of offering make up materials containing minerals. They are safe on the skin and hence useful for those with sensitive skin or recovering from surgery. Additionally, they also contain vitamins that boost antioxidant activity.

Vitamin C firms up the skin. It helps production of collagen, the skin protein. Vitamin A is great for the skin especially because it reverses signs of ageing and damage due to sun exposure. Remember, our grandmothers insisted we finish our tomato and carrot juices? They were right after all.

Vitamin E is the ultimate skin protector. It helps healing the skin and keeping it supple. Moreover, it also acts in fatty acid transformation and therefore an essential component of all skin creams.

Green tea extract has anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. By using minerals in make up products, there is no need to add artificial colors or preservatives. They are absolutely safe on the skin because of their adsorbent properties. They are anti-inflammatory and do not cause rashes, boils or acne. They also prevent microbial infections.

While they need to be used up quickly and this might seem expensive, what is attractive is, just a little is enough on each application. So, you get more value for money.

So, move away from cosmetics that are mixtures of harsh chemicals. Make mineral make up a regular habit. Read the label for the constituents. Always follow strict hygiene in applying and using cosmetics. Bless you with a glowing skin forever!