#1: It’s Natural (No, Seriously!)

True mineral makeup uses only naturally occurring minerals that don’t require extensive refinement from their natural state. Those minerals, such as iron oxide, mica, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide, are then crushed into small particles. The best mineral makeup doesn’t use nanosized particles that could be inhaled or seep through the skin into the bloodstream, but the particles are still small enough to create a soft texture, avoid irritation, and provide the best coverage possible.

#2: It’s Petrochemical Free (Bye Bye, Oil!)

Petrochemicals like paraffin, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are by-products of the oil industry. By their very nature, they’re ecologically unsustainable, and beyond that, they can irritate skin. Petrochemicals can be contaminated by a particularly dangerous group of compounds called dioxins, which the WHO says can “cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.” Yikes.

#3: It’s Paraben Free (Para-gone!)

Parabens are preservatives that can mimic estrogen. Although the science is far from conclusive, there’s evidence that parabens may interrupt the endocrine system and potentially cause cancer. Scrapping propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, and isobutyl-parabens from your beauty products, however, can lower the level of parabens in your body in as little as eight days.

#4: It’s Phthalate Free (You Can Spell That Again!)

Another breed endocrine-disrupter, phalates help blend ingredients in cosmetics, but they too have “biological activity” meaning they they’re not inert substances. Phalates can disrupt male and female hormone pathways. Often phthalates show up on labels as fragrances which leads us to...

#5: It’s Fragrance Free (Breathe Easy!)

One of the easiest ways to avoid both parabens and phalates is to leave fragrance to the flowers. Not only can fragrances contain hormone disruptors, they are among the top five allergens in the world. Because the components of “parfum” are not elucidated on the label, you might even be putting styrene on your skin--a common chemical building block recently confirmed to be carcinogenic. The nose knows this stinks.

#6: It’s Noncomedogenic (Again with the Spelling!)

Mineral makeup contains no oils, plastics, or fillers that clog pores. You should, however, still wash your face at night, even when you stay up ‘til 2:00 a.m. binge watching the latest season of Orange is the New Black.

#7: It’s Hypoallergenic (Wait, I Know This One!)

One of mineral makeup’s main ingredients, zinc oxide, can act as an anti-inflammatory helping soothe skin. Plus,with fewer ingredients, there are fewer substances to potentially irritate skin. Done and done.

#8: It’s Versatile (How, Pray Tell?!)
With mineral makeup, I use fewer products for more purposes. My foundation doubles as a concealer for the occasional blemish. Blush serves as eyeshadow. Eye shadow turns into liquid liner with a narrow brush and a couple drops of water. This makes a huge difference when I’m on the road--any reduced space in my purse or carry-on bag is gladly welcome!

For these reasons and many more, I switched to mineral makeup. Won’t you join me?

About the Author: Gia Mora

Smart, sexy, sassy GIA MORA is an accomplished actor, a vocal dynamo with a four-octave range, and a writer with an astute sense of humor. She brings her unique blend of brains and beauty to her work on screen and stage, and now as the newest artist signed to Modern Songbook Records.