Organic Makeup & Mineral Makeup – All You Ever Need to Know in 2021
Organic skincare and makeup is changing the face of beauty. The swing towards a more ethical, healthy and sustainable way of living is a key contributor to its increased popularity.
But organic, mineral, natural – what does it all mean?
What Is Mineral Makeup?
Put simply, mineral makeup uses natural minerals, rather than artificial dyes, to make your makeup colourful. The most common minerals are iron oxides, but silica, talc and mica might also be used.
What Is Organic Makeup Made Of?
Like mineral makeup, organic make up uses mineral colours. However, genuine, certified organic makeup also follows strict rules on purity, ethics and eco-friendliness of the minerals and all other ingredients. Typically organic makeup is made from organic plant oils, butters and waxes. It may also use natural plant dyes.
How Do I Know If A Makeup Product Is Mineral?
It will likely say mineral on the packaging. Also check the ingredients list – if any of the CI (colour index) numbers are followed by a colour name and number – e.g. Green 1 or Blue 3, then that colour is artificial (not mineral) and usually coal-tar derived. Mineral colours will just state CI and a five-digit number.
Mineral makeup has reached such levels of popularity that these days most makeup products include some minerals. But many use both mineral and artificial colours.
Why Should I Use Mineral Makeup?
Mineral makeup is generally better for your skin, doesn’t block your pores (is non comedogenic), and can absorb excess sebum if you are prone to oiliness. Most mineral makeup uses zinc oxide (CI 77947) which actively benefits the skin as it is a building block for skin repair and is antibacterial. And mineral-only makeup avoids the synthetic dyes or ‘lakes’ that are derived from coal tar. These artificial colours are amongst the most well known skin irritants and can be contaminated with toxic heavy metals like arsenic, beryllium, lead, nickel and thallium.
*Note that mineral colour carries some risk of heavy metal contamination too, unless it is very pure, but the risk is generally lower than with synthetic dyes.*
Why Is Organic Makeup Better?
With organic makeup you get all the benefits of mineral colour with the guarantee that the minerals are free from impurities and all ingredients are ethically sourced. In addition, you won’t find any animal-testing, silicones, petrochemicals, artificial fragrance, harsh preservatives or GM-ingredients as they’re all banned under organic standards.
No artificial fragrance, PEGS, or harsh preservatives means there’s a lower risk of allergies with organic mineral makeup than just with mineral makeup alone.
Organic standards guarantee the ultimate ethical purchase – your makeup will be 100% cruelty free. It goes without saying that organic standards prohibit animal testing, but lesser known is that animal bi-products like ‘carmine’ or ‘cochineal’ is a common ingredient in mainstream blushers and lipsticks. (Formulating without the artificial red lake dyes or carmine made it a challenge to create a lovely red lipstick, but we think we’ve come pretty close with our Cherry Tart!)
And organic cosmetics are usually full of vitamin-rich plant oils, botanical butters and herbs – much healthier when you consider how much makeup you might apply over a lifetime and lipstick you lick off your lips!
That’s without even considering the environmental benefits of going organic: Using organic ingredients helps to reduce the amount of polluting chemicals in the farming industry, protecting wildlife, and waterways, increasing biodiversity and reducing toxins in the earth.
There is in sum, many reasons why organic makeup is better!
Isn’t Mineral Makeup Cruelty-Free?
No, not necessarily. Mineral makeup may still contain animal derivatives like carmine / cochineal (crushed beetles) or silk / serica (made from silk worms). Also brands that sell in bricks & mortar stores in mainland China are likely to still be testing on animals because it’s still law there to do so.
Is Mineral Makeup Chemical Free And All-Natural?
No, not necessarily. Mineral makeup only refers to the colours used and not the other ingredients. ‘Mineral’ brands can still contain plasticisers, phthalates, silicones, petroleum derivatives, artificial fragrance and preservatives like parabens or methylchloroisothiazolinone (MI).
Is Mineral Makeup Safe?
Unless it is certified organic and has thus passed strict purity criteria, ‘mineral’ makeup could still be contaminated with heavy metal impurities, or contain ingredients that some people might want to avoid like phthalates, silicones, mineral oil, artificial fragrance and preservatives. There are a few mineral colours like bismuth oxychloride which are linked to health concerns (but banned under organic standards). 
Which Makeup Is Best For Sensitive Skin?
For sensitive users, organic makeup is often the only answer. Certified organic cosmetics don’t contain the strong preservatives, synthetics, solvents, fillers, acrylic polymers and fibres that typically feature in ‘conventional’ makeup, so are far less likely to irritate sensitive eyes, lips and the delicate face area.
What’s The Best Organic Makeup?
To make sure you’re buying genuine organic makeup look for a certified product. Sites like MyPure carry only certified products and have star reviews to indicate the best organic makeup. All Odylique’s makeup is certified organic and has been since it first launched in 2011.
How Do I Know If Makeup Is Organic?
There are very few certified organic makeup brands and the genuine ones will carry a symbol or mark on the packaging of the Soil Association, Ecocert, ICEA, Cosmos, Natrue, USDA, Australian Organic or NOP. Odylique’s makeup is certified organic by the Soil Association.
Which Makeup Brands Don’t Contain Heavy Metals?
Any brand whose makeup is certified organic will be free from heavy metals. Brands that use coal tar derived colours, or mineral colours that are not certified to organic standards, may be contaminated with heavy metals.
Is Organic Makeup The Same As Mineral Makeup?
No. While organic makeup will use mineral colours, it can only use mineral colours of a guaranteed purity grade, free from heavy metals. Organic makeup uses botanical plant extracts and can’t contain synthetic polymers, fragrance or any harsh or unsustainable ingredients. Organic standards also guarantee the ultimate ethical purchase – your makeup will be cruelty free. In sum, choose certified organic makeup for peace of mind, so you can just enjoy using your makeup every day.
Mineral Makeup At Odylique
Here at Odylique we’ve spent years developing groundbreaking makeup formulations and carefully choosing incredibly pure ingredients. Our range of certified organic makeup includes lead-free lipstick, caring concealers, gentle mascara, and flattering eyeshadows all made with at least 8 beautiful botanicals. We have taken particular care to avoid wheat, soy, benzoates, sorbates and common nut oils so that our makeup is compatible with the most reactive skin.
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Want To Try Our Mineral Makeup?
We only source the kindest ingredients from trusted suppliers who don’t practice unethical or cruel methods of farming, which is why we are able to label every single one of our products cruelty free!
Use code: Makeup20 at the checkout for 20% off your order! – *Limited to one use per customer*
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More Advice?
If you need any help choosing your makeup, or have further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Email us – customercare@odylique.co.uk, add your question as a comment below, or call 01638 491022 – we’re here to help!
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