How we pick our products
We all know just how essential powder is in makeup, and we bet it’s never missing from your kit or organizer. They are perfect to even out your skin tone, soften the appearance of pores, seal foundation, and minimize shine on oily skin. In fact, a new trend has come to revolutionize makeup: mineral powders.
Makeup lovers no longer only care about which powder shade suits them best; now, they also want to know what the products they use are made of. In our new guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about this new trend.
Contents
Key Facts
- First of all, you should know that traditional cosmetics have three basic types of components. Pigments improve application on the skin and work as light and color correctors. The treatment refers to the vitamins, moisturizers, and sunscreens that your skin can benefit from. Last but not least, the additives, such as antioxidants and preservatives, can be harmful.
- Mineral powders won’t contain as many chemical additives as standard products. The harmful effects of cosmetics on the skin are in great part responsible for driving this new makeup trend. Formulators have had to find a way to develop products of equal quality, but less abrasive.
- Whether you use mineral or conventional powders, it is essential that you know if you are allergic to any of their components. There are other key factors to take into account when the time comes for you to buy your cosmetics. These include value for money, your skin type, or how you should apply them.
Our Selection: The Best Mineral Powders on the U.S. Market
The time you spend in front of your display case is necessarily a walk in the park. You have to choose from a multitude of brands, colors, and eye-catching designs. This can take a while, especially if you’re not an expert. In the following selection, we have listed some of the best mineral powders currently available out there.
- Best Mineral Powder by L’Oréal Paris
- Best Mineral Powder: Amazon’s Choice
- Best Mineral Powder for Frequent Users
- Best Mattifying Mineral Powder
Best Mineral Powder by L’Oréal Paris
There’s no need to introduce L’Oréal Paris, the world’s leading cosmetics company. The quality of its products has built its reputation, and the True Match mineral powder has received great ratings from past users. Available in over ten different tones, it is easy to apply thanks to the brush included with the product. This fragrance-free powder is ideal for sensitive skin.
Best Mineral Powder: Amazon’s Choice
This manufacturer has specialized in natural, mineral-based cosmetics since the 1990s, so you know they have the experience and knowledge you’re looking for. You can pick from 20 distinct shades of the BarePro powder for a quality 12-hour coverage. Users with acne-prone skin particularly appreciate this product.
Best Mineral Powder for Frequent Users
This talc-free beauty product by Physicians Formula comes with its own little brush so you can start wearing it right away. What is most attractive about this package is that provides you with a whole half-ounce (0.49 oz) of mineral powder. This is ideal if you wear this type of makeup daily and don’t want to have to buy it every other Monday.
Best Mattifying Mineral Powder
This popular brand offers few mineral cosmetics, but they are certainly quality products. This mineral powder provides a neat, mattifying finish to the skin, leaving it silky to the touch. If you can distribute it properly, it has no mask effect. This cosmetic comes in a compact little packaging, perfect for taking everywhere with you.
Shopping Guide: Everything You Should Know About Mineral Powders
Their components have hypoallergenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, they act as a barrier against UVA and UVB rays – those responsible for sunburn and premature aging. Some products can also contain gemstones with potential skin-healing effects.
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The powers of minerals in makeup have been harnessed since ancient times. The queens of Ancient Egypt and Japanese geishas used their powders to create the extravagant cosmetics we know today. After so many years of use and incredible progress in the industry, why shouldn’t we try it?
What elements make up mineral powders?
While we aren’t experts in mineralogy either, we have done extensive research. With the help of specialists in high-quality natural cosmetics, we have gathered information on the elements that make mineral powders a great ally for your skin:
| Mineral | Properties |
|---|---|
| Malachite | This is one of the few heavy metal minerals used in makeup. Used as a pigment or coloring agent, it isn’t toxic to humans. |
| Mica powder | Because of its characteristics, mica provides luminosity and shine to the products. |
| Clay | Its healing properties and various colors based on the concentration of magnesium and iron oxide, make clay an essential ingredient of chemical-free makeup. |
| Iron oxide | It will help match your skin type and get the right color. |
| Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | They work as natural sunscreens and provide UVA and UVB protection to your skin. They also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe and calm irritated skin. |
If you ever check the description of the mineral cosmetics you buy, you may find various other hard-to-read elements. Don’t worry; in general, they all fulfill similar functions. You can even identify them by their prefix. Titanium oxide and titanium dioxide, for instance, have the same original compound.
Are there other mineral cosmetics besides powders?
Some of the most trusted brands in the beauty industry already market lines of mineral makeup, but the number of products per line remains relatively low. That being said, new cosmetic houses have seen the light to focus on the development of mineral-based products.
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Why do I need a mineral powder?
When we reach a certain age, we all start looking for tricks and methods to take care of our skin and keep a youthful look for as long as possible. This is when these cosmetics come into play by helping to slow down photoaging.
Are mineral powders better than traditional powders?
If, on the other hand, you are used to traditional powders or have a brand that you love, making the switch isn’t urgent. The most important is that you feel comfortable and that your face and skin remain healthy. In any case, it is essential to have a good facial cleansing routine. Just in case you forgot: never go to bed with makeup on!
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What are the advantages of mineral powders?
We have analyzed what cosmetic experts and studies on mineral properties had to say on the matter and have identified the main benefits that these products offer you. It is interesting to note that women over the age of 30 will particularly profit from them. Here is a list of the wonderful benefits of mineral powders:
- No mask effect. Their light formula provides a natural and healthy glow to the skin, without looking heavy or powdery.
- Easy to apply and remove. This allows your pores to breathe.
- Long duration. Their quality guarantees that you don’t have to freshen up every half an hour – even if you have oily skin. This means that the powder lasts longer.
- Grease regulating effect. They help maintain an ideal balance in the skin.
- Mineral powders can reduce the appearance of expression lines, as well as acne, redness, or other skin conditions.
- Suitable for all skin types. You can use these cosmetics on young and mature skin, with dry, oily, or mixed conditions.
- They contain no chemicals such as preservatives, dyes, essential oils, or fragrances.
- They protect from the effects of the sun. As we mentioned earlier, their components provide UVA and UVB protection.
- Perfect for camera flashes. Their natural look makes them a favorite for professional makeup artists on film and photo shoots.
- You can start noticing their benefits after the first use.
Now you understand why more and more makeup artists and dermatologists are recommending the use of mineral powders, and celebrities are certainly following this new trend. A new era of cosmetics is here, and we have reasons to believe that it will last. Are you also excited about its incredible advantages?
Should I be careful when buying mineral powders?
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Various elements – such as mica powders, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide – are commonly found in regular beauty products, but in lower quantity. If you notice that a powder contains very small concentrations of these elements, as well as chemical additives and fragrances, you should avoid it.
Shopping Criteria
Compulsive shopping is a mistake many of us know all too well, especially when it comes to makeup. Don’t buy a beauty product without checking it and making sure you want it. You might think that it is a carefree decision, but you could end up very disappointed. In the following section, we look at some of the key shopping criteria to keep in mind when choosing your new mineral powder.
Price
Most branded mineral powders are fairly affordable; however, they remain more expensive than traditional products. You can find cheaper cosmetics from less popular manufacturers and even homemade products. Keep in mind that it is much harder to be sure of the components of the latter.
If you really want to get the best value for money, Amazon offers frequent sales in partnership with different brands. Looking for sets that include various mineral products is another way to find great prices. Who doesn’t like to save a little money on the way to a beautiful and healthy skin?
Duration
The vast majority of mineral powders will last you a good while. Of course, this also depends on the quality of the product and how regularly you use it. Regarding the shelf life of these cosmetics, they shouldn’t contain preservatives and will, therefore, have a shorter life cycle than traditional products (between three and four years). Don’t forget to check the expiry date regularly. You will notice it has expired when a hard coating forms on top.
Use
It is essential to know what you need the mineral powder for before you can make your purchase. If you use it for casual, everyday makeup, we recommend you opt for light-coverage products. For more elaborate makeups or to go out at night, you will obtain a better finish with 24-hour coverage.
If you’re not particularly an expert in this, you may have noticed that applying powder and making your skin look natural and silky requires some technique. Wearing makeup also involves its own routine: cleaning the skin, moisturizing it, and using the right amount of each product. The Kabuki brush is your best ally for this. You should be quite familiar with this accessory if you are a professional makeup artist.
Skin Type
Knowing your skin type is essential to pick the right cosmetics for you. We identify four types: normal, dry, oily, and mixed. Your dermatologist can help you figure out which you have, and this often has to do with how much you sweat. In addition, you should know the condition of your skin, as it will play a role in the product you need.
Mineral powders work on any type of skin, but they are particularly useful for oily and mature skin. If this is your case, your best option is to opt for a compact product for greater coverage. If you have normal, dry, or mixed skin, you can use loose powders with light coverage; it should be enough to cover your skin – even if you have a rash.
Summary
Protection, correction, and perfection are the fundamental characteristics that we can expect from cosmetic products. Mineral powders manage to bring these three factors together. They have a positive impact on mature skin and those who suffer from skin alterations. This is the light at the end of the tunnel for many makeup lovers!
If you’re still unsure about using mineral powders and how your skin will react to them, start with some small samples. Many shops hand them out for free, and you can also obtain samples when purchasing other cosmetics online.
Our work here is done! We hope that our guide on mineral powders has been insightful. If you decide to give these cosmetics a go, feel free to share your opinion in the comments section below. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
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