Bismuth Oxychloride: One Mineral Your Skin Can Do Without
One filler ingredient commonly used is called bismuth oxychloride. The main component, bismuth, can be located on the periodic table squeezed between arsenic and antimony. Wow! From the former, you can guess that it keeps quite toxic company. As a standalone element, bismuth gives off unhealthy fumes when it is burned.
As filler to cosmetics, bismuth undergoes a refining process to become bismuth oxychloride. The first step involves combining it with another element, chlorine. Hydrochloric acid is produces which is also not good because it is a strong acid. Further addition of oxygen results in a harmless compound used as filler for cosmetics. Bismuth oxychloride can show as diamond or pearl in texture.
The next step in the process is to grind up bismuth oxychloride until it becomes a fine crystalline powder. In mineral makeup, this crystalline powder provides a silky finish on the skin as well as helping the makeup to adhere to the skin for a flawless lasting look.
As filler in makeup, bismuth oxychloride adds a shine to the skin. Some women like the added shine and some do not. A pearlesque bismuth oxychloride results in a matte finish to your makeup. Whereas the diamond texture leaves the skin shimmering.
Not everything about bismuth oxychloride is bad though. In fact, it has some good qualities but do the good qualities outweigh the potential negative qualities? Not necessarily, here are some things to consider.
Why you are better off without bismuth oxychloride
1. Consult the women who don't want to be known for the glare that their faces cause. Shining faces are for children not us. With oily skin, the shine is already apparent. Mineral makeup with bismuth oxychloride will only exacerbate the effect. You can wear makeup and avoid this shiny look.
2. How do your pores look? If they tend to be large, you'll look to your makeup to conceal them. Bismuth oxychloride does the opposite and with the added shine, those pores will seem even larger to your eyes.
3. Natural minerals make up natural cosmetics. Bismuth oxychloride is not a naturally occurring mineral. The components used in the refining process are natural. As filler it can be harmless or harmful if you have the type of skin that reacts to it. Why take that chance. Eliminate the possibility.
4. As we alluded to, skin problems can be caused by bismuth oxychloride. Who wants to ruin healthy skin? For women who are affected, they develop breakouts, itching, and rashes. There is no way to determine if your skin will be the one experiencing the adverse effects.
Want to try mineral makeup? Use as natural a formulation as possible by closely checking the ingredient list for bismuth oxychloride.