Has Anyone Had an Allergic Reaction to Bare Minerals Makeup?

Although the mineral beauty brand Bare Escentuals has been around since the 1970s (see Resources for the company website), consumer interest in mineral makeup only started soaring in the first decade of the 21st century--avid women's magazine readers can attest to this based on the increase in advertisements for mineral products during this time frame. Today, mineral makeup is widely available on the market; some of the places you can find it are online, at drugstores, at department stores and at mall kiosks. Perhaps what has made mineral makeup so popular is how it is marketed as being more wholesome than conventional makeup. With its promise of no preservatives, fragrances or dyes to irritate the skin, mineral makeup may have found a loyal customer base among those who want to live a healthier life without compromising beauty.

Bare Escentuals BareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation's reputation as a healthier alternative to conventional makeup is what may have made it appealing to consumers, especially those who regularly experience breakouts after using traditional cosmetics. It certainly has its share of fans--after all, it has won awards from such beauty magazines as "Teen Vogue," "Elle," "Glamour" and "Allure," and carries the Skin Cancer Foundation's seal of recommendation. Some who have decided to no longer use it did not do so based on experiencing any irritation but on the shiny finish that results when the product is applied on oilier skin types; however, there have also been complaints of an adverse reaction to the product even among some who previously never had any makeup allergies (see Resources). Reported allergic reactions to BareMinerals Foundation include redness, itching and the appearance of bumps on the face.

Bismuth oxychloride is used in both conventional and mineral cosmetics to help the makeup blend more smoothly on the face. It also adds something of a sheen or a pearlescence to makeup, as it is a by-product of metals such as lead and copper, which are what cause the itching and irritation. The reason why some do not break out after encountering bismuth oxychloride in conventional foundations is because it is present in smaller amounts than it is in the mineral bases that make use of it. Since mineral makeup manufacturers limit the number of ingredients that go into their products in order to keep the cosmetics as pure as possible, there is a higher concentration of bismuth oxychloride that makes up for fillers that otherwise would have been used (see Resources for more information on bismuth oxychloride). If you have very sensitive skin, you may also want to avoid any mineral cosmetics containing corn starch, which also goes by the name "zea mays." This will enable you to continue to benefit from mineral makeup's more wholesome ingredients so you no longer have to turn to conventional makeup, which can clog your pores in the long run, even if you don't immediately react to it.

If BareMinerals Foundation is the first mineral base you've tried and you have an unfavorable reaction to it, this does not mean you cannot wear mineral makeup at all. This does not mean either that you should stay away from all the other BareMinerals or Bare Escentuals products. The company has lip liners, lipsticks, lip glosses and mascaras, to name only a few items you may want to continue using even after you decide to no longer wear the foundation. Read the label of ingredients on every product. If bismuth oxychloride is not on the list, you aren't likely to experience any more allergic symptoms.

As a remedy for a mild skin reaction to BareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation, try applying an oil-free moisturizer followed by a makeup primer before putting the foundation on. This will shield your skin from coming into direct contact with the bismuth oxychloride in the product. A mild reaction would be along the lines of itching, particularly when you sweat, but not experiencing any redness or breakouts. If your reaction is worse, on the other hand, involving redness and the appearance of bumps, you should completely switch to a bismuth-free mineral foundation. Make sure to read the label on all the other brands you are considering as a replacement, as BareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation isn't the only one that contains bismuth oxychloride.