What is Mineral Skincare and What are the Benefits?
We all know that minerals are essential for overall health and wellness. They are nutrients your body cannot do without in order to function properly, let alone optimally. That includes contributing to the health and wellness of your skin!
Not to mention, there are so many external factors that can cause damage to your skin that it just makes sense to protect it as much as you can. By infusing minerals into your daily skincare routine via topical mineral skincare products, you can support the health of your skin and maintain the delicate balance your skin needs to thrive.
What is Mineral Skincare?
Conventional skincare products contain a lot of ingredients, both natural and synthetic. The type (artificial or natural), as well as the quality of these ingredients depends on the brand. It really boils down to the brand’s reputation and standards, as well as moral and ethical values.
Natural ingredients in skincare products does not always mean they are safer or better for your skin. Similarly, products with artificial skincare chemicals in them are not necessarily dangerous and harmful for your skin.
It’s prudent to do your due diligence before buying skincare products and always patch test before using them on your face to make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction to one of the ingredients.
There are different types of mineral skincare products, including mineral makeup. Essentially, this is a type of makeup that is formulated using minerals as part of the ingredient list. Products like thermal water infused with minerals can be used for skin tightening. Minerals themselves are inorganic solids that exist naturally, through geological processes, and they have a set and unique chemical composition.
You already know that your body requires a certain quota of minerals everyday to work properly and efficiently. These minerals are needed to keep your bones healthy and also to keep your heart, brain, and muscles working efficiently.
Minerals are even required for the manufacturing of enzymes and hormones in your body. However, in modern culture, it’s nearly impossible to reach these requirements through food intake alone.
This is largely because environmental pollution and harmful practices have had a detrimental effect on the quality of food that’s produced. Unfortunately, not reaching this minimum requirement can have a negative impact on your overall health, including your skin.
Essential Minerals Your Skin Needs
Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most essential micronutrients needed by your body. It’s required for bone, teeth, hair, and skin health, and also keeps your muscles strong. Additionally, magnesium aids in the smooth and efficient working of your nervous system. Magnesium deficiency is known to speed up the onset of the visible signs of skin aging––like fine lines––because it reduces the elasticity of your skin.
Potassium
Potassium is required by your kidneys and liver. This is because the function of potassium is to regulate water content in your body and cells. Your skin also needs to maintain a proper water content level in order to look youthful, radiant, and glowing. Lack of moisture in your skin is what causes dryness and dullness, and may also prompt the appearance of wrinkles.
Selenium
Selenium is a mineral with antioxidant properties that helps your skin stay flexible and elastic. It could even provide some protection against UV damage and the associated risks that often come along with too much sun exposure. Brazil nuts in particular are a rich source of selenium in your diet.
Silica
Silica belongs to the category of trace minerals. It’s required by your body because it strengthens the connective tissues in your body. These connective tissues include bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and hair.
Clearly, that makes it a pretty vital requirement for maintaining the health of your skin. Silica also increases collagen production, by helping your body form the building blocks that make collagen. Collagen is what keeps your skin looking youthful, supple, and healthy.
Calcium
Calcium is an essential mineral that’s required by the whole body, including your skin. It’s present in the highest amounts in your body, contributing significantly to your bone structure.
It plays an essential role in keeping your bones strong and firm, and also ensures the tissues and cells in your body remain elastic. Calcium deficiency results in thin and fragile skin that cracks easily and looks dull and lifeless.
Zinc
Zinc is arguably the most important mineral for the proper function and health of your skin. Zinc has strong antioxidant properties that protect your skin from free radicals and oxidative damage. This of course, helps to prevent premature aging.
Zinc is also essential in speeding up skin healing, prompting wounds and injuries to heal faster. Moreover, zinc regulates the production of oil and sebum in your skin, and controls the hormones that cause acne. That makes zinc an essential mineral for the health of your skin, especially for those who suffer from acne.
Copper
Copper is one of the trace minerals that combines together with other minerals to help keep your body healthy. It also helps in maintaining and enhancing the quality and well-being of your skin because copper plays a major role in the production and working of skin proteins such as elastin and collagen.
Elastin and collagen are necessary to keep your skin supple and firm, giving it both elasticity and strength. Copper also offers effective biocidal properties and enhances the working of antioxidants. Finally, copper is required to convert the amino acids that promote your skin’s pigment. Definitely a mineral you don’t want to miss out on!
Ingredients in Mineral Skincare
The difference between conventional skincare and mineral skincare is not what it contains, but what it doesn’t contain. In most cases, mineral skincare products do not contain:
- Preservatives––chemical preservatives can be harmful for your skin and cause adverse reactions.
- Fragrances––fragrances in skincare products are often one of the biggest causes of irritation in your skin.
- Emollient Oils––emollients are products that fill and seal up cracks in between the layers of your skin and lock in moisture. However, the oily structure is known to cause clogging in your pores.
- Wax––similar to emollient oils, waxes in conventional skincare products create a layer over your skin and prevent your skin from breathing properly.
In contrast, mineral skincare products do contain several minerals that are beneficial for your skin. These minerals include:
- Titanium Dioxide––titanium dioxide works as a UV filter in mineral creams, lotions, and sunscreen products. It protects your skin by blocking UV light. It’s also used as a whitening, thickening, and lubricating ingredient.
- Zinc Oxide––zinc oxide works as a coloring ingredient in mineral skincare and makeup products. It is also a skin protectant and is added in mineral sunscreens to protect you from sun exposure and damage. It works by deflecting UV radiation.
- Iron Oxide––iron oxide is mostly added into sunscreen products to increase the white cast. It is safe, non-allergenic, and also increases or broadens the SPF protection offered by the product.
Additional Pros of Mineral Skincare Products
If you’re not yet sold on why you need mineral skincare products in your life, keep reading for a few more awesome benefits!
Mineral Skincare Products Protect Your Skin
Mineral skincare products contain so many ingredients that are good and safe for your skin. Remember how great minerals like zinc and copper are for your skin’s elasticity and health. Zinc especially is soothing and anti-inflammatory, making it a wonderful mineral for sensitive skin.
Mineral Skincare Products Don’t Irritate Your Skin
Mineral makeup is typically safer than conventional makeup because more often than not, it doesn’t contain harmful, artificial chemicals. That means less clogging of your skin’s pores, which results in less breakouts and irritation. Win-win!
Mineral Skincare Products Moisturize and Nourish Your Skin
Mineral skincare also nourishes your skin and provides extra moisture. Products containing potassium, especially, can help to regulate the water content in your skin to ensure healthy and sufficient hydration.
There’s really no magic bullet when it comes to caring for your skin. Everyone has different skin types, with different skincare needs, so what works for one person may not work for another.
However, in general most mineral skincare products are safe and gentle for most skin types, making them a popular choice for those who suffer from inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, or merely sensitive skin that’s hyper-reactive.
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/whats-up-with-mineral-makeup#1
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