The Role Of Minerals In Skin Care

Human beings have long used what nature provides to protect and adorn themselves. Prehistoric men mixed dirt with animal fat to color their skin and hair.

In Ancient Egypt, lips were painted with moistened iron oxide, eyes were shaded with a paste based on stibnite powder, and peelings were made with scrubs of sand or alabaster powder.

Minerals are used primarily as pigments for coloring, such as iron oxide; others protect against the sun, soften the skin or give it luminosity.

Some minerals can be used as they are obtained from the earth, such as talc, salt or clay, while others undergo an extraction process, such as iron, copper or precious stones.

The petrochemicals mineral oils, silicones, paraffins or vaselinas- result of chemical refining and not considered minerals but synthetic products.

Mineral makeups do not clog pores or contain ingredients that cause reaction.

Trace elements for the skin: which are the most important?

Minerals participate in the defense and repair mechanisms of the skin : trace elements such as silicon, copper, magnesium, sulfur, iron, selenium, iodine or zinc are essential for cell renewal.

As we age, the skin can lose minerals, which reduces its vitality and shine. Its lack in the diet can weaken hair and nails, promote stretch marks or make healing difficult, but its contribution can also be increased externally.

Today in many creams and other cosmetic products trace elements are incorporated in order to promote their regeneration: from clay cleaners to creams with trace elements. Some conventional and natural anti-wrinkle creams incorporate silicon or magnesium for their repairing effect.

Clays, although they are used to clean impurities, also provide a wide variety of minerals.

Cosmetics with noble metals and precious stones

More and more brands use noble metals and precious stones, especially in regenerating creams.

Among the metals and precious stones , gold, silver or diamond are some of those chosen by the most expensive brands in firming facial creams that also add shine.

• The malachite, for example, strengthens the skin by stimulating collagen synthesis.
• Gold, amber, and tourmaline are included in homeopathic dilutions to stimulate the skin’s cell regeneration cycle.
• The combination of gold and silver helps to keep the skin young.

One might wonder, however, if the price of some products is justified and to what extent these elements are absorbed by the skin.

Mineral cosmetics, ideal for sensitive skin

In natural cosmetics, some minerals have made it possible to dispense with synthetic ingredients and obtain softer products for sensitive skin.

• This is the case of mineral filter sun creams, where titanium dioxide or zinc oxide act as mirrors reflecting sunlight.
• Or makeup, which substitutes mineral oils, silicones, chemical pigments and resins for mica, mineral pigments or titanium oxide.
• Among the natural deodorants that replace synthetic ones is alum stone, a double sulfate of aluminum and potassium that inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause odor. These hypoallergenic and odorless deodorants are not absorbed by the skin due to their molecular structure, making them harmless.

Alum stone, used since ancient times in the Middle East, prevents bad odor thanks to its bacteriostatic effect. It comes in the form of a stone, spray, roll-on or cream.

• The white clay, ideal for dry and sensitive skin, cleanses the skin while revitalizing it thanks to its minerals.
  To prepare a white clay mask, the clay is poured into a wooden, glass or ceramic bowl (not metallic or plastic), covered with water and left to rest for half an hour.
  Leave it to act on the skin for 15 minutes, avoiding the eye contour, and rinse with warm water.