The Chemistry Behind Mineral Make-Up

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Literature review
Methodology
Results and discussion
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Makeup has become a common and familiar product in many people lives particularly in the last one century. Of particular importance, make up is only one of the many products that line the shelves of cosmetic outlets. The extensive application of regular and chemical makeup has elicited intense debate on the implications to the public health of the users. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, cosmetics include all compounds or products that are applied to the body with the aim of beautifying, boosting attractiveness or improving the physical appearance without generally altering the structural and physiology of the body. More importantly, makeup generally refers to all colored products which are applied with the sole intention of altering the physical appearance of the user’s body. Mineral make-up is made from compounds that are generally sterilized and usually ground to form a granular powder. This mixture is later mixed with other naturally occurring inorganic colorings that are vital in creation of a wide range of colors.

With regard to the makeup, this paper will try to shed light on their chemical composition. In addition, the distinguishing factors between the regular and chemical makeup will also be discussed in depth. The paper will also look into the benefits that are accrued from using mineral makeup as compared to the regular types.

Literature review

The usage of cosmetics is a practice that has its origin in the ancient times. For instance, the Egyptian women were commonly used to applying kohl to their eyelids in a bid to darken them (Walter et al, 484). Likewise, the Greek women enhanced their complexion by lacing themselves with a poisonous lead carbonate which at some instances led to fatalities. In recent times, makeup business has become a booming business owing to the efficiency in advertising and an ever increasing population that care much about their appearance (Walter et al, 485). The utilization of make-up of different colors has been observed since the ancient Egyptian times. Chemical analysis of some of these preserved containers has shown that the presence of organic and some lethal mineral components. Lead based compounds that were formed out of the crushing of galena (PbS) ore and to sme extent the cerussite (PbCO3). Other compounds found in the cosmetics include laurionete and phosgenite, which are believed to have been manufactured synthetically by the Egyptians through the utilization of wet chemistry (Walter, et al 483).

Methodology

The study will rely mainly on literature review of various sources in order to come up with concrete information on the mineral makeup. Collected data will be analysed in tandem with the research questions. The paper will present the data in form of diagrams, structures and prose form in order to clearly explain the chemical composition and benefits of the mineral makeup.

Results and discussion

Chemical composition of mineral make-up

Cosmetics share some common ingredients such as water and the emulsifiers that are added to aid in the mixing of oil and water. Preservatives form a vital constituent that is useful in preventing the growth of bacteria and the eventual degradation in the presence of light. Thickeners are also introduced in order to improve the consistency (Toedt, Koza & Cleef-Toedt, p. 25). pH stabilizers are also put in order to make the product compatible with the acidity levels in the body while some active products help in enhancing the functioning of the makeup. More importantly, colors and fragrances form the bulk of the chemical composition in the make-up. In early times, naturally occurring pigments particularly the red colored ocher, henna or cochineal were applied on cheeks by the roman women (Toedt, Koza & Cleef-Toedt, p. 25). Redwood was also commonly used by the Brazilian women while red lead had wider application especially in the western world in the 19^th and early 20^th century.

A wide range of chemicals form part of the ingredients in the make-up. The most notable is the mineral powder filler known as talc. Talc is a magnesium silicate which exhibits a habit characteristic of a platy crystal. The platy crystal provides a mechanism that allows the plates to glide smoothly thereby enhancing the application of make-up while minimizing the chances of clogging pores. Moreover, talc acts to repel water due to its resistance to physical and chemical compounds such as acids and bases (Toedt, Koza & Cleef-Toedt, p. 25). Mica, which is referred to as magnesium aluminium silicate), also acts as a mineral filler. Mica has found extensive application mainly due to its transparency and overly smooth texture. However, it has limitations in that it tends to exhibit shiny appearance especially when applied to the skin. Kaolin is also added to mineral makeup to absorb excessive moisture. Powdered calcium carbonate is a common constituent that absorbs moisture especially when mixed together with magnesium carbonate (Toedt, Koza & Cleef-Toedt, p. 25).

Minerals that provide color include iron oxides that are instrumental in giving the green and red glamour. Chrome oxides and manganese offer green and purple tones respectively. Spherical materials such as polymethyl methacrylate and silica are also added in order to offer a smooth texture. Esters in form of sorbitans also enhance the creamy texture while vitamins and herbal extracts are also added. Methylparaben and imidazolindinyl are also added to act as preservatives.

Difference between mineral make-up and regular make-up

Mineral make-up has gained popularity especially in their application as foundations, blush formulations and to a larger extent as eye shadows. The major difference between the mineral and regular make up is the ingredients. The mineral make-up is mainly composed of ingredients which are of high quality. The high quality ingredients are superb in enhancing the strong points in the skin surface thereby endearing them to majority of young women. More importantly, the presence of additional ingredients in form of vitamins A and E serves as an encouragement to use the products (Toedt, Koza & Cleef-Toedt, p. 25). The mineral make-up has the tendency to contain some harmful chemicals. Nitrosamines, polyethylene glycol and mercury are known to cause deleterious effect to the human body when absorbed and find their way into the vascular system. The fact that the chemicals are not easily removed from the body acts to increase the level of toxicity in the body. Mineral make up also contain compounds such as zinc oxide which offer a natural UVA-UVB protection unlike the regular make-up. In addition, the mineral make-up has a non-comedogenic nature that ensures the compound does not block the skin pores thereby proving ample space for the body to breathe. The inorganic nature of the ingredients also removes the need to add preservative4s as part of the ingredients unlike in the regular makeup (Kora para, pp. 1-7)

Benefits of mineral make-up over regular make-up

There are many benefits that are offered by mineral make-ups to users as compared to the regular make up. The fact that they bind to oils makes the mineral make up to offer a natural water resistance which work superbly for the skin unlike in regular and traditional types (Kori para, p. 2). This is complemented by the fact the product does not into the pores and also offers protection against harmful free radicals. Mineral make-up is also versatile since they can be used together with water, crèmes and other moisturizers (Kori, para, p. 4). The products also have a very long shelf period when compared to regular make-up since it lacks organic matter that is responsible for the quick deterioration. Majority of the mineral cosmetics have mica as their base ingredient thereby enhancing their quality. Mica is imperative in improving the skin adhering properties of the make-up (Kora para, p. 6). Lastly, mineral make-up is long lasting both in the shelf and to a larger extent in the skin. The applied pigment does not peel easily and is resistant to abrasion by water and less powerful detergents (Kora para, p. 8).

Conclusion

Make-up has become a common and familiar product in many people lives particularly in the last one century. The desire to improve the physical appearance has made many people to go great lengths in getting the best quality products. The mineral products are often laced with chemicals that make have excellent qualities when compared to the regular make-ups.the mineral make-up are long lasting and versatile unlike the regular types. The application of mineral make-up should be done cautiously to protect oneself from applying products that are laced with lethal chemicals.

Works Cited

Kori, Ellis. 5-reasons-to-use-mineral-makeup 2010.
Toedt, John, Koza, Darrell, Van Cleef-Toedt, Kathleen. Chemical composition of Everyday products. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2005.
US Food and Drug Administration. Cosmetics. 2010. Web.
Walter, Paul, Martinetto, Peters, Tsoucaris, George, Brniaux, Richards, Lefebvre, Micheal, Andrew, Richard, Gironeus, Talabot, James & Dooryhee, Eileen. Making make-up in Ancient Egypt, Nature 397. 6719 (1999): 483-484.

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