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Mineral makeup is made of minerals, which are substances found in the earth. It’s a type ofnatural makeup.
Generally, it relies on minerals instead of synthetic ingredients for its intended purpose. For example, minerals may be used to give a product pigment or sun protection.
If you’re concerned about synthetic ingredients in makeup, mineral makeup might be a good choice. Consider starting with foundation, the “base” of any makeup look.
Read on to learn more about mineral makeup, along with the best mineral foundations available online.
The list below features our top picks for mineral foundations. We chose these products based on their ingredients and customer reviews. We also sought to include a variety of formulas, finishes, and levels of coverage.
Shade range was another important factor. It’s often difficult to find mineral foundations that match a variety of skin tones. Each of the products that made our list comes in a range of shades.
Pricing guide
- $= under $30
- $$= $30 to $40
- $$$= over $40
Mineral Fusion
Price:$$
Mineral Fusion pressed powder foundation is designed to reduce the appearance of pores. It’s made of antioxidant-rich ingredients, including sea kelp, pomegranate, and white tea.
Since the powder is pressed in a compact, it’s travel-friendly. It has buildable coverage, meaning you can apply multiple layers for your desired look.
The foundation ishypoallergenic, vegan, and free of gluten, fragrance, talc, phthalates, and parabens. It’s available in 24 shades.
According to users, this product feels natural and airy. You might like this foundation if you prefer a “no makeup” look.
Buy Mineral Fusion pressed powder foundation online.
Ofra Derma
Price:$$
This loose powder foundation is vegan, gluten-free, and paraben-free. It’s made with titanium dioxide, which offers some sun protection. The product doesn’t have an SPF rating, though.
Since the powder is ultrafine, it’s ideal for creating a sheer, lightweight finish. You can also build it for fuller coverage. The foundation is available in 10 shades.
Buy Ofra Derma mineral powder foundation online.
CoverFX
Price:$$
CoverFX pressed mineral powder foundation is best for normal to oily skin. It relies on kaolinclayto soak up excess oil and control shine.
This pressed powder is vegan, cruelty-free, and talc-free. It’s also formulated without gluten, fragrance, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. You can choose from 40 shades.
Users love its matte finish. However, if your skin is on the drier side, it might not be a good choice.
Buy CoverFX pressed mineral powder foundation online.
Maia’s Mineral Galaxy
Price:$
Maia’s Mineral Galaxy foundation is a fragrance-free loose powder foundation. It has kaolin clay andarrowroot powder, which help absorb excess oil.
This botanical foundation is more affordable than the other options on this list. Many of the shades also have goodEnvironmental Working Group (EWG)ratings.
According to online reviews, this powder gives the skin a natural glow.
Buy Maia’s Mineral Galaxy foundation online.
Glo Skin Beauty HD
Price:$$$
Glo Skin Beauty HD is a mineral foundation stick. It provides a satin finish. It has a buildable formula, too, so you can use it for sheer to full coverage looks.
This cream foundation relies onhyaluronic acidto hydrate the skin. It also contains beneficial antioxidants likegreen teaextract and vitamins A, C, and E.
Available in 12 shades, this travel-friendly product isnoncomedogenicand vegan. It’s also fragrance-free and gluten-free.
Jane Iredale Beyond Matte
Price:$$$
If you enjoy medium to full coverage, you may like this liquid foundation from Jane Iredale. Made withjojobaand celery seed extract, it’s formulated to give the skin a semimatte finish.
You can also use this foundation as a primer and concealer, making it a 3-in-1 product. It’s vegan, noncomedogenic, and free of parabens, phthalates, talc, and synthetic preservatives. It’s available in 18 shades.
Buy Jane Iredale Beyond Matte liquid foundation online.
PÜR 4-in-1 Love Your Selfie
Price:$$
This vegan liquid foundation is available in 100 shades, which is impressive compared to other makeup brands. You can also use it as a concealer.
It has a medium to full coverage that’s designed to give the skin a smooth appearance. The active ingredients are green tea, vitamin B, and ginseng. It also contains lingonberry extract andsunflower oil, which can moisturize the skin.
Users say it feels lightweight and looks natural, even with medium to full coverage.
Buy PÜR 4-in-1 Love Your Selfie longwear foundation and concealer online.
PÜR 4-in-1 tinted moisturizer
Price:$$
As a multipurpose product, this tinted moisturizer can be used as a primer and foundation. It features broad-spectrum SPF 20 for sun protection. The SPF comes fromzinc oxideand titanium dioxide, which are mineral sunscreens.
This product gives the skin a dewy, glowy finish. It contains hydrating ingredients like sodium hyaluronate,chamomile,vitamin E, andaloe vera.
Compared to other dewy mineral foundations, this option is more expensive. However, it has SPF and is available in a wider range of shades.
Like other PÜR products, this tinted moisturizer contains no parabens and animal products.
The primary benefit of mineral makeup is the ingredients.
Compared to regular makeup, mineral makeup mainly contains ingredients from nature.
It may have a small amount of synthetic, lab-made substances. However, reputable brands will only use synthetic ingredients proven to be safe for humans.
另一方面,典型的化妆品通常是疯了e with potentially harmful ingredients, including:
- parabens
- phthalates
- formaldehyde
- formaldehyde releasers
- oxybenzone
- ingredients listed as “fragrance”
- talc
TheEWGsuggests limiting or avoiding products with these substances. You can do this by using mineral makeup.
Other benefits of mineral makeup include:
- Fewer odor-induced headaches.If scented makeup makes your head hurt, mineral products may be a good option. They’re often fragrance-free.
- Safer for sensitive skin.The harsh substances in nonmineral makeup can irritate sensitive skin. Mineral makeup contains gentler ingredients.
- Better skin health.Mineral products are often made with skin-friendly ingredients, like green tea and ginseng. Also, many mineral cosmetics arenoncomedogenic.
Despite the benefits, there are some downsides of mineral makeup:
- Shorter shelf life.Mineral cosmetics have little to no synthetic preservatives, giving them a shorter shelf life.
- Higher price tags.Without cheap preservatives and fillers, mineral makeup is usually more expensive than traditional makeup.
- Small shade range.Since mineral makeup doesn’t use synthetic dyes, some brands might offer limited shades. However, there are still brands that have a wide range (like the ones in this article!).
Not all mineral makeup is equal. Some products may actually contain harmful ingredients, even if they’re mineral-based.
Mineral makeup, like all makeup, isn’t tightly regulated by the
Instead, makeup companies are responsible for ensuring their products are safe. This includes accurate labeling of their products.
If you’d like to try mineral makeup, buy from a quality brand. Make sure the company has positive customer reviews and a good reputation. This will help ensure that the product you’re buying is safe.
With so many products to pick from, choosing the best mineral makeup for your needs can be overwhelming. The key is to take your time and do research.
Start by checking the company’s reputation. Read user reviews to learn about people’s experience with the products. You can also check the brand’s social media accounts to see how they interact with customers.
The company’s reputation will speak to the quality and safety of their makeup.
When selecting a product, read the labels and ingredient lists carefully. Avoid ingredientsdeemed unsafeby the EWG. You can also check whether the product has rated in theEWG Skin Deepdatabase.
If you’re allergic to a certain ingredient, check the label to make sure the makeup doesn’t have it.
Look for cosmetics that suit your skin type. Some brands also offer product samples or color match tests.
Mineral makeup is made with minerals and other natural substances. It often contains skin-friendly ingredients, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
Many people like mineral cosmetics because they’re free of parabens, talc, and other potentially harmful substances. But compared to traditional makeup, mineral products are typically more expensive.
Keep in mind that mineral makeup, like all makeup, isn’t strictly regulated for safety and quality. Always read the label before using a product.