Makeup rock stars

Natural Health, Sept, 2007

PURE MINERAL MAKEUP from pioneering companies like Bare Escentuals, Jane Iredale, and Colorescience is made exclusively from finely ground rocks. The formulas are water-resistant and anti-inflammatory with a natural SPF. They are also free of talc, fillers, or preservatives, making them especially attractive for those with chemical sensitivities, rosacea, or delicate skin.

Minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide natural sun protection, and mica and bismuth oxychloride reflect light and help camouflage dark circles and fine lines, says Doris J. Day, M.D., clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine and author of Forget the Facelift (Avery, 2006). Given their natural healing properties, it's no wonder minerals are cropping up in products from more familiar beauty companies like CoverGirl, L'Oreal, and Neutrogena. The upside of this trend: These formulas are often less expensive and easier to blend and wear than traditional formulas. The downside: They may contain ingredients sensitive skin can't tolerate.