Women around the world are beginning to make the switch to mineral cosmetics. Makeup should enhance a woman’s natural beauty. What better way to enhance natural beauty than by using natural mineral cosmetics. Every mineral cosmetic is made from the best stuff on earth. Unlike mass produced, chemically enhanced makeup, mineral cosmetics provide natural skin benefits. Most of these outstanding cosmetics will offer natural SPF protection. The sun’s rays can be great for the skin in moderation, but without SPF protection, people are at a higher risk of skin cancer and other medical issues. Mineral cosmetics can provide a base that gives women all the protection they need for a day out.
Many women turned to mineral cosmetics, because the additives in other makeups can irritate the skin. This irritation can cause an allergic reaction, which causes the skin to break out in rashes. Not only does this cause a beautifying need for more makeup, but it damages the health of a woman’s skin. The traditional makeup in the market today can agitate the skin for a number of reasons. All of which can become quite costly for the skin and the purse. When makeup is purchased and instantly irritates the skin, it must be thrown out. This can hurt anyone on a budget.
Women never have to worry about tossing out their mineral cosmetic products before they are used completely. Mineral makeup isn’t full of preservatives, oils, chemical dyes, and fragrances. All of these factors can be found in the leading liquid makeups. The oils in traditional makeup have been known to cause acne flair ups. For women prone to acne, the benefits of mineral cosmetic products are extremely exciting. Dermatologists around the globe recommend mineral cosmetic products, because they don’t unnecessarily agitate skin. If you are already prone to acne breakouts, you can ill afford to expose your skin to more additives and chemicals. Mineral makeup will help you avoid this dilemma. By making the switch to mineral cosmetics, women can now use beautifying products that not only beautify that day, but avoid the need for other beautifying products down the line.
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You wouldn’t consider a highly-processed, artificially-flavored applesauce to be as healthy as an organically grown apple, would you? Same with cosmetics. A beauty product made with synthetics, or even ultra-processed natural ingredients, is not good for your skin or overall health. Natural, nontoxic cosmetics are the organic fruit of your beauty diet.
Synthetic ingredients are not only harmful to humans and the environment, but are actually less effective than natural and organic ingredients. Pure ingredients from nature work with your skin and body to boost healing and regeneration.
What are Natural Cosmetics?
Natural cosmetics are made with ingredients from plants, minerals, and certain animal-derived ingredients, either untreated or treated with other natural ingredients. Pure, natural ingredients are minimally processed to preserve the natural benefits the ingredient holds.
While there is unfortunately no legal definition of the term “Natural” at this time, look for organic products to be BDIH Certified. BDIH is a well-established German certifying body with extremely strict standards on cosmetic ingredients, packaging, and production.
To obtain the BDIH Certified Natural seal a product must meet these requirements:
Ingredients must come from a plant or mineral source
Ingredients must be organically-sourced or wild-harvested wherever possible
Free from petrochemical-derived or synthetic ingredients
No genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)
Ecologically conscious, recyclable, and minimal packaging
No animal testing allowed
What are Organic Cosmetics?
Organic ingredients are those grown and produced in accordance with strict government-controlled standards –the same organic standards that apply to food—with third-party verification. Organic standards require no use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, sewage sludge, or GMOs. Strict rules also apply to the treatment of animals and the environment. A truly organic product bears a “Certified Organic” stamp from an official organic certifier. However, in many cases, it is simply not possible to meet the 95% organic requirement to get the official organic seal. For instance, a natural sunscreen usually requires over 10% of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, so the best it can do is be 90% organic. If a cosmetic contains minerals, such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica, or iron oxides that are used to give it color, these minerals eat up the 5% of allowable non-organic ingredients. In many cases, it’s simply not possible to create a usable cosmetic or skin care product that is 95% organic.
Though BDIH is a natural cosmetics certifier, it does require product manufacturers to use organic content wherever possible (when available in sufficient quantity and quality). BDIH is responsible for creating the world’s first organic body care certification.
What About Preservatives?
Preservatives play a very important role in the safety and efficacy of natural and organic cosmetics. Without a sound preservation method certain cosmetic products may grow harmful bacteria over time. But preservatives need not be synthetic to be effective. There are many safe preservation methods used in natural cosmetics. Airtight packaging, plant alcohol, and certain herbs and essential oils prevent bacterial growth.
Let’s address the paraben issue. Parabens are synthetic preservatives that researchers suspect enter our bloodstream and mimic estrogen in our bodies. Phenoxyethanol is a semi-synthetic preservative which has become more widely used in natural cosmetic brands since more research has been conducted on the evils of parabens. Though some view phenoxyethanol as a safe alternative to parabens, studies show it causes damaging effects on the brain and nervous systems in animals. Even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data sheets show “chromosomal changes and genetic mutation effects in testing as well as testicular atrophy and reproductive damage in mice.”
Ingredients to Avoid
An organic ingredient has to meet strict requirements regarding production, but organic skin care can still contain ingredients that are not so healthy. Get to know which cosmetic ingredients are harmful and best avoided, and always follow brands with full ingredient listings and clear safety policy displaying which ingredients they do not allow in their products.
Liz Thompson is founder and editor of Organic Beauty Source, a blog where she shares information on safe, natural beauty and personal care products, such as natural cosmetics and organic skin care. Years of extensive research on the subject of safe cosmetics and a passion for all things beautiful led this mother of two to create this online venue where the conscientious consumer can easily find products free from harmful ingredients and educate themselves in the process.
Whether you wear a little or a lot, makeup plays a very important role in most women’s beauty regimen. It must hold beautifully natural color, go on smooth and easy, and have staying power. And let’s not forget safety — organic makeup should also be made with the finest natural ingredients, just like healthy skincare, and contain no harmful synthetic ingredients.
But can this really be possible? Long lasting, even coverage and smooth application, gorgeous color, and good for you too? Yes it can!
Many companies now offer vibrant, natural colors in their makeup products, well-suited to all skin tones. When you begin looking at organic makeup lines, keep in mind that pure plant oils make for smooth application, while hydrating and protecting the skin. Also, make sure you look for long-lasting coverage, and for entire natural cosmetic lines that are made from organic and natural ingredients, free from toxins.
Organic Lips
Add definition, gloss, or vivid color to your look by choosing a shade from a wide variety of organic lipsticks. Look for lip gloss that lends shine and color to any natural look – there are plenty of organic options.
Organic Eyes
We’re all looking for bright, brilliant eyes and with organic makeup products; your options are practically endless. From eyes shadows to eye shadow sticks, organic shadows deliver smooth color that’s natural and soothing for even the most sensitive eyes.
Organic Face
Organic makeup products for the face should encompass all you need for a flawless, radiant complexion. Make sure you look for a foundation that delivers light, natural coverage with skin hydrating ingredients. Pressed powder lends a smooth finish and you should be able to find organic shades for every skin tone.
Nails
Last but not least, the finishing touch to your look… nail polish. Many organic polishes are chip resistant, provide long-lasting coverage, and come in many stunning colors. Whether you’re looking for a pale pink or a deep aubergine, you’re covered. And many organic polishes are made without the three most toxic ingredients found in conventional polish — formaldehyde, toluene and colophony rosin.
Make sure you look for natural cosmetics that are made with safe, natural and organic ingredients, and are gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin!
Liz Thompson is founder and editor of Organic Beauty Source, a blog where she shares information on safe, natural beauty and personal care products, such as natural cosmetics and organic skin care. Years of extensive research on the subject of safe cosmetics and a passion for all things beautiful led this mother of two to create this online venue where the conscientious consumer can easily find products free from harmful ingredients and educate themselves in the process.
