Not All Mineral Makeups are Created Equal!

While waiting at the corner pharmacy, I had the opportunity to browse the cosmetics department. All the Big Name Cosmetic Companies have jumped on the Mineral Makeup bandwagon and are touting their own version of "natural loose mineral foundation".

Really COOL Packaging Gimics... BUT - I was Horrified(!) at their Ingredients Lists!!!!

So I am launching my new "Save a Teenager's Face Campaign"
Since teenagers are more likely to buy Over-The-Counter Drugstore Cosmetics, Tell Every teenager you know to "READ the Ingredients" before they put it on their face! It could save them from years of horrible skin problems and a general dislike of cosmetics - not to mention lowered feelings of self-worth from their appearance..... (we all remember that one from high school!)

Here are the choices I found:

L'Oreal Bare Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation

Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 3% , Zinc Oxide 5%.

Talc, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Carnauba Wax, Cetyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Trisocetyl Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol. May contain: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides.

We all know warning flags for Talc!
I know I don't want the the Dimethicones
But, I am curious about the "Active" List versus their "May Contain" List
- either titanium dioxide there or it isn't - but it can't be both!

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Mineral Powder Foundation

Mica, Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Soybean Flour (Glycine Soja), Silk Powder, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, May Also Contain: Ultramarines, Carmine, Manganese Violet

Screaming flags on the Methylparaben/Propylparaben
Most of us are trying to get away from the shiny, itchy Bismuth Oxychloride.

Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Mineral Foundation

Mica, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Stearate, Boron Nitride, Lauroyl Lysine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide,Iron Oxides.

Again with the the Methylparaben/Propylparaben so that's a no-no.
The Boron Nitride I am going to have to investigate.

Translucent Loose Powder Professional by Cover Girl

Talc, Oat Flour, Calcium Silicate, Zinc Stearate, Fragrance, Quaternium-15, Eucalyptus Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Dimethicone, Camphor, Mineral Oil, Menthol, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylparaben, Clove Oil, Methylparaben, BHT, Mica, Iron Oxides. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarines.

Mineral Oil? What is this - the 50's all over again???
Add Talc and Methylparaben/Propylparaben and you'll have a cancer-prone break-out within a week!

This last one I Just LOVE!

Mineral Makeup Loose Powder Foundation - Surreal Skin by Urban Decay

Ingredients: Methylparaben, Propylparaben. May Contain: Mica, CI 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).

According to their list, the only thing you are Guaranteed of getting in Every Jar is Methylparaben/Propylparaben
which are chemical "preservative" from a company called Urban "Decay"
Is it just me or is that an Oxymoron?