Minerals in Cosmetics and Personal Care

## Beauty From the Earth

The cosmetics industry is fundamentally a mineral processing industry. From the talc in face powder to the titanium dioxide in sunscreen, minerals provide color, texture, coverage, and sun protection in thousands of products.

## Color Cosmetics

### Foundation and Face Powder

| Ingredient | Source Mineral | Formula | Mohs | Function |
|-----------|---------------|---------|------|----------|
| Talc | Talc | Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂ | 1 | Silky feel, absorption |
| Mica | Muscovite, sericite | KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂ | 2–2.5 | Shimmer, light reflection |
| Kaolin | Kaolinite | Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄ | 2–2.5 | Oil absorption, smooth texture |
| Iron oxides | Hematite, goethite | Fe₂O₃, FeOOH | 5–6 | Yellow, red, brown pigments |
| Titanium dioxide | Rutile, anatase | TiO₂ | 6–6.5 | White pigment, opacity |
| Zinc oxide | Zincite | ZnO | 4–4.5 | Coverage, mild sunscreen |

### Eye Shadow

| Color | Mineral Pigment | Origin |
|-------|----------------|--------|
| Gold/bronze | Mica coated with iron oxide | Natural |
| Blue | Ultramarine (lazurite derivative) | From lapis lazuli historically |
| Green | Chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) | From chromite ore |
| Pink | Iron oxide + titanium dioxide blend | Processed minerals |
| Shimmer/glitter | Mica flakes | Ground muscovite |

### Lipstick

- **Red pigment**: Iron oxide (hematite) or carmine (organic)
- **Base wax**: Supported by kaolin and talc for texture
- **Shimmer**: Mica particles (muscovite, Mohs 2–2.5)

## Sunscreen

| Type | Mineral | Formula | Mechanism |
|------|---------|---------|----------|
| Physical (mineral) | Zinc oxide | ZnO | Reflects/scatters UV |
| Physical (mineral) | Titanium dioxide | TiO₂ | Reflects/scatters UV |

Mineral sunscreens use nanoparticles (10–100 nm) of these minerals to avoid the white cast of larger particles while maintaining UV protection.

## Personal Care Products

| Product | Mineral Ingredient | Source | Purpose |
|---------|-------------------|--------|--------|
| Toothpaste | Calcium carbonate | Calcite (CaCO₃) | Mild abrasive |
| Toothpaste | Fluoride | Fluorite (CaF₂) | Cavity prevention |
| Deodorant | Potassium alum | Alunite | Crystal deodorant |
| Exfoliant | Pumice | Volcanic glass | Physical exfoliation |
| Bath salts | Epsom salt | Epsomite (MgSO₄·7H₂O) | Muscle relaxation |
| Clay mask | Bentonite/kaolin | Smectite, kaolinite | Oil absorption, detox |

## "Mineral" Marketing Claims

The term "mineral makeup" in marketing simply means the product uses inorganic mineral pigments (iron oxides, mica, zinc oxide) instead of synthetic dyes. All traditional cosmetics already contain these minerals — the "mineral" label is largely a marketing distinction.