The Benefits of Fragrance Free Skin Care

If you stop in your local drug store and take a walk down the skin care aisle, there is a good chance that you will see a wide variety of fragrances being used in the different products.  Even if you look at natural products, there is a good chance that some sort of fragrance is being used, even if it is in the form of essential oils.  If fragrances are everywhere, what can be so bad about them?  Plenty.  Here is a look at some of the benefits of fragrance free skin care.

Healthier skin

While fragrances might make the product smell better while you are using it, they could be having a detrimental effect on your skin.  In traditional over the counter skin care products, fragrances are caused by a variety of perfumes and chemicals.  Unfortunately, many of these same chemicals are now being found to have long reaching side effects due to the buildup of toxins.  Some of the chemicals used in skin care products have been linked to serious conditions such as cancer.

Reduce redness and irritation

Do you have a problem with your skin being red, dry, and irritated?  There is a chance that your skin care products are to blame.  For people with sensitive skin, even mild and natural fragrances can be irritating.  Every day that you put the skin care product on, you are exposing your skin to these irritants.  Use the product on a regular basis, and your skin never gets a break, causing it to become inflamed.  In addition, your skin may develop blemishes or become dry and itchy.

Inhaled allergies

Another potential concern with fragrance skin care products is the effect of inhaling the fragrance.  Some people have sensitivities to scents, and smelling their skin care product all day could actually cause them to have a reaction.  While many people think of allergic reactions to inhalants as causing sneezing and a runny nose, allergies to fragrance skin care products can also lead to migraines and flu-like symptoms.

Use only as much as you want

One advantage to using fragrance free skin care products is that you can control the amount of fragrance that you use.  You might like the smell of lavender, but using it as a body wash, a lotion, and having it included in your favorite makeup might be a little overwhelming.  Or maybe your citrus hand soap does not go well with the cooling peppermint lotion that you like to use.  By choosing fragrance free skin care products, you get to control how much, when, and where you use a scent.

Good for the whole family

Another thing to consider when buying skin care products are exactly who will be using them.  It is not unusual for different family members to share the same bottle of body wash, particularly children.  However, your newborn infant’s sensitive skin may not like the harsh perfumes in your toddler’s bubble gum-scented skin care products.  By choosing fragrance free products, you know that the product is gentle enough for everyone in the family to use, regardless of age or skin type.

Read the Label When Buying Mineral Makeup

With all of the popular press and celebrity support, you are thinking of trying mineral makeup.  But is designer mineral makeup worth the price tag?  Is drug store mineral makeup any good?  What is really in your mineral makeup?

One of the best things that you can do for your skin is to read the labels when buying mineral makeup.  The danger of buying drugstore mineral makeup is that often it will contain fillers.
Or even worse, it could be your basic traditional cosmetics with a few minerals added to the mix.  If you are looking for good mineral makeup, here are some of the things you should seek out:

·  Allantoin – A skin protectant that promotes health skin.  It is thought that it helps to clear away dead skin cells so that healthy skin can grow in its place.

·  Boron Nitride – An anti-bacterial mineral that absorbs oil and helps makeup to glide on smoothly and stay on.

·  Iron Oxide – You know it as rust.  This mineral helps to create the color tones in many mineral makeup foundations.

·  Kaolin Clay – This clay helps to absorb oil and reduce shine, cover blemishes, and give mineral makeup a creamy texture.  You may also see it labeled as China clay.

·  Magnesium Stearate – Derived from vegetable oil, this mineral helps mineral makeup to provide better coverage and improves the texture and consistency of the cosmetics.

·  Oils/Fragrances – These are not necessary in mineral makeup, though some users enjoy the added benefits that essential oils can provide. I personal stay away from them as you need to keep in mind that using oils will cause the mineral makeup to expire, and that some users can be allergic to the oils, so these are not recommended for women with sensitive skin.

·   Pure Silk – Silk is not often found in mineral makeup, especially those marketed towards vegans and vegetarians.  Silk can help moisturize the skin and heal burns.
·  Rice Powder – Unlike cornstarch that is sometimes used as an oil absorber, rice powder does not expire and can be kept indefinitely in an airtight container. Rice powder works well for a variety of skin types and can help give skin a porcelain finish.

·   Serecite Mica – Mica is what adds the sparkle to some mineral makeup.  It can help decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and it is often found in mineral makeup eye shadows. 

·   Silica Microspheres– Silica can help control oil and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.  It can also help your makeup to stay on for longer periods of time.  However, make sure that the silica used in the mineral makeup is not amorphous hydrated silica, as this contains a known carcinogen, crystalline quartz.

·  Titanium Dioxide – This mineral is found frequently in mineral makeup.  It helps give the mineral makeup its natural SPF protection, reflects light, and helps the makeup cling to your skin.

·  Zinc Oxide – This mineral also offers SPF protection.  It is also what allows mineral makeup to help heal irritated skin and rosacea.

Drug store mineral makeup may include some of the above ingredients, but then may also include fillers and/or chemicals.  When shopping for mineral makeup, look for as few ingredients in a product as possible.  Keep in mind that if you don’t know what it is, you probably don’t want it on your face.

Check out our Mineral Powder Makeup!

Doctor’s Orders: How Mineral Makeup Can Soothe Rosacea & Improve Your Skin’s Appearance

Rosacea can be a particularly difficult condition, especially for women.  Not only does it disrupt your complexion, but it can be aggravated with traditional makeup that you might try to use to hide it.  Here is a look at mineral makeup and why it should be your Rosacea makeup.

The problem with traditional makeup

The problem with traditional makeup is that it can clog pores and make Rosacea even more irritated or inflamed.  This goes for both oil and water based cosmetics.  The preservatives, fragrances, and other chemical ingredients can be irritating to anyone’s skin, but can be especially irritating to those battling Rosacea.

Mineral makeup as Rosacea makeup

Mineral makeup is the perfect makeup because it doesn’t contain the harmful ingredients that traditional makeup does.  In addition, mineral makeup contains beneficial ingredients that can help protect and heal Rosacea skin.  Zinc oxide, an ingredient found in all mineral makeup, works as a sun protection and a barrier to outside pollutants. Stay away from Mineral makeup that contains Bismuth Oxychloride, as many women with Rosacea find this irritates their skin even further from all the buffing it takes to make it blend into the skin.

Why mineral makeup is good Rosacea makeup

1.     Mineral makeup is applied in a powder form.  Powdered Rosacea makeup will cover redness, acne, and keep your face less oily. 

2.     Mineral makeup includes ingredients that nourish the skin and neutralize oils.  Nourished skin is healthy skin, and healthy skin can heal itself faster.

3.     Many mineral makeup formulations do not have preservatives.  Preservatives are thought to be one of the leading causes of skin irritations and are often found in high concentrations in traditional makeup formulations.

4.     Mineral makeup is also free of fragrances, which is another irritant.

5.     Mineral makeup helps prevent outbreaks of Rosacea by calming the skin.

6.     Mineral makeup helps condition the skin naturally, healing blemishes and redness.

7.     Mineral makeup contains zinc oxide, one of the treatments that dermatologists regularly use to help clear up Rosacea problems.

8.     Mineral makeup covers the skin and neutralizes redness without having to be caked on in large amounts.  This allows for a natural look and prevents the skin from drying out due to too much makeup.  Mineral makeup is even gentle enough to sleep in.

Read labels

Before purchasing any mineral makeup to use as your Rosacea makeup, it is important to thoroughly read the label.  Just because a mineral makeup company says that it is all natural does not mean that it contains all of the important ingredients.  Look for a high quality Rosacea makeup with as few ingredients as possible.  Stay away from products that contain potential “mineral” irritants such as talc, waxes, fillers, alcohol and Bismuth Oxychloride.  Look for mineral makeup that has zinc oxide high on the ingredient list.  Avoid “natural” fragrances such as lavender.  A little label reading will go a long way to helping you find the right makeup for Rosacea.

While Rosacea can be a pain to live with, finding the right Rosacea makeup can make it more tolerable.  Mineral makeup is one of the few suggestions that dermatologists and Rosacea experts will recommend to their patients as a way to prevent and cure Rosacea while still looking great.

Check out our healthy mineral makeup that will help you feel your best. Even if you are a sufferer of Rosacea at http://www.mineralsilk.com/Mineral-Foundation-for-a-flawless-finish-s/152.htm