Archives at Zinester: Subscriber, Here is the Information I promised you on Bismuth in your Mineral Makeup. Thats the Beauty of It. Health & Fitness

Simply said Bismuth is a heavy, brittle metal. The name of the element is derived from the German word for the ore bismuthinite, Bisemutum, which was in turn derived from Wismuth, a corrupted form of the phrase Weisse Masse, "white mass." It is found in the Earth's crust at a concentration of 48 ppb, making it the 70th most abundant element. It is found in the ore bismuthinite [bismuth sulfide, Bi2S3], as a race component of ores of other metals, and as the uncombined metal.

It is used in paints and cosmetics (primarily in the form of bismuth oxide, Bi2O3, a yellow pigment, and bismuth Oxychloride, BiOCl, a white pigment). Bismuth salts are also used in treating peptic ulcers. The active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol, a common remedy for upset stomachs, diarrhea, and other stomach and intestinal problems, is bismuth subsalicylate, C7H5BiO4, a derivative of salicylic acid (which is where aspirin is also derived).

Ok, so now that we have the technical explanation done with, let's talk about what using bismuth can mean to your skin.

Companies have been using Bismuth in their products for years because it is an inexpensive filler. It does have wonderful binding properties, which gives the "stick" you are looking for when applying makeup. However, there are other ingredients that are just as effective, and are better for your skin.

The biggest complaint about Bismuth that I hear about is the "Itch Factor".
Read about customers who have switched from Bismuth Formulas to Mineral Silk

When Mineral Makeup with bismuth is applied to the face it is best applied in a buffing motion. This buffing motion will continue to break apart the minerals and create that flawless look you are looking for. However, some people have sensitive skin and this constant buffing motion can be creating skin fissures or tears in the skins surface because of this crystalline shaped mineral product. When this occurs you can have reactions like, small bumps, breakouts, itching (especially when perspiring) or redness and sometimes infection. All the things were trying to get rid of in the first place!

So is bismuth as bad as everyone claims? In my skins opinion, yes! I can't even stand to have it on my skin, it itches instantly and I can feel that pin pricking sensation for hours after I remove it.

But, I have to be honest some people have no problem with products that contain Bismuth at all. Others get the "itch" and learn to live with it, well for awhile at least. For me and hundreds of other men and women with sensitive skin or those who just don't want to deal with makeup with fillers there are options.

Mineral Silk Mineral Makeup is one of them. We use the same ingredients we started with over 3 years ago, Ingredients a base of Mica for adhesion, Titanium, Zinc and Iron Oxides. Nothing more is needed, period. You get the coverage, protection and color you want and need from one product.

Next time I will go over some of those OTHER things we DON'T put in our Makeup formula!