Mineral Makeup and Bismuth Oxychloride
Mineral makeup is becoming ever popular as we become more and
more conscious of what we are putting onto our skin and bodies.
Because of this increased awareness people are asking more
questions. And one of the most popular questions is about the
ingredient bismuth oxychloride. Women want to know what it is
and why it is in so many brands of mineral cosmetics. There
are a lot of almost facts and half- truths flying around out
there. In this article we'll learn what bismuth oxychloride is,
where it comes from, why it is used, and if makeup with it as an
ingredient is a good choice for you.
Bismuth is the by-product of lead and copper refining, as well
as other metals to a smaller degree. Bismuth occurs very rarely
in nature. It is on the periodic table of elements under the
symbol Bi at atomic number 83. It is very heavy and chemically
resembles arsenic and antimony. It has a whitish/iridescent hue
and has a very high shine property to it. Of all the heavy
metals it is the only non-toxic. Bimsuth is a carrier for fuel
in nuclear reactors. Bismuth components are used in everything
from detection work, to making acrylic fibers, to safety devices
in fire detection and extinguishing items, soldering, magnets
and medicine as well as cosmetics. Because it is a by-product of
lead refining, bismuth oxychloride should be lead free when
companies begin using it in their cosmetics.
Companies use this in their cosmetics because it is cheap to buy
and is an inexpensive filler. It does have binding qualities, so
the makeup will "stick" to your skin, so to speak. There are
other products that are just as effective at adhesion, and are
better for your skin. Because of its molecular make up, it is
often viewed as shiny or pearlescent. It is often sold in these
two varieties. This makes it highly refractive, which is
something companies want. Refraction will camouflage fine lines,
wrinkles and discolorations. If you use a brand with bismuth
oxychloride you'll notice a shiny look after applying the
makeup. Not like oiliness, but almost shimmery. That's the
bismuth oxychloride.
It's a very heavy element, which makes it difficult for many
people to wear. It has to be forced into the pores (hence the
buffing technique) otherwise it is capable of sliding off the
wearer's face. The heaviness can result in clogged pores or
irritated skin. Bismuth oxychloride often feels silky and not
rough when rubbed between the fingers. Mineral makeup companies
that do not use it have a lighter feeling makeup that usually
blends into the skin better and with less effort.
Its molecular makeup is a crystalline shape, which may be a
cause of the itchiness some women get when they wear it. Many
women experience noticeable itching when they sweat. Don't
forget it is also kin to arsenic, chemically. Your body will
reject things it does not like, and if you'll get sick from
ingesting arsenic, it would make sense that your skin would get
irritated from having arsenic forced into it.
So, if you find you're experiencing some problems with your
current mineral makeup and it contains bismuth oxychloride, you
may want to consider switching brands. Many women experience
skin irritation when using mineral makeup and don't know why.
It's likely that bismuth oxychloride is the reason.