We all love shiny and silky eye shadows. They make the eyes appear big and full. For years, popular cosmetics brands have been using bismuth oxychloride as one of the many ingredients in eye shadows for that shiny and silky effects. Those that they market as all mineral are not free of it.
According to Chemistry, bismuth oxychloride is extracted from naturally occurring bismuth. Sadly, organic bismuth is so scarcely available that makeup companies now extract bismuth oxychloride from lead or copper smelting. What exactly is smelting?
It is the process through which lead, gold, copper or any other metal is purified for use.That said, bismuth oxychloride is actually derived from the impure version of the metal and has chemical properties that match arsenic.
Yet fear not. Bismuth oxychloride is not as hazardous as arsenic. Once extracted, it goes through purification process. The dilemma of toxicity still can't be eluded.
There is no way to remove every bit of foreign unhygienic matter from it. Also the purification does not change its true metallic nature. It is believed that because of these two factors, it tends to block the pores or enforce a cut like feeling in the skin. The signal of this is irritation. Those who have sensitive skin and eyes must make every effort to avoid cosmetics containing this allergenic by-product of metal.
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| This is Bismuth Oxycloride |
Below we have a list of brands that do not use it in their cosmetics including eye shadows. You should still be cautious because other minerals or chemicals found in cosmetics can also be allergic. Many of them contain titanium dioxide which is said to be a cancer causing agent in aerosolized form. Skin can't absorb this compound. When you are shopping for cosmetics, always focus on their ingredients. The label should include them. Note that bismuth is sometimes titled as Ci 77163 or wismuthoxichlorid.
Sheer Miracle
If you are looking for something healthy yet affordable check out Sheer Miracle. Majority of their mineral and organic cosmetics are available under $20. The ingredients are said to be 100 percent natural. However, they do not make lipsticks. One strange thing about this brand is that they don't advertise the containers of the eye shadows in pictures. It would be, therefore, best to go for samples first. Each costs just $1.50.
Just like Sheer Miracle, this brand has both organic and mineral products. Young people will somewhat feel disappointed by the small number of colors they offer. There is basically nothing for eye shadow except for the one shown in the picture. Their lip whip is fully organic. Ingredients include beeswax, castor seed oil, camellia seed oil, avocado oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, cinnamon bark, peppermint oil.
Jane Iredale
This brand once was all over bismuth oxychloride, but recently, their formula is dropping it altogether due to concern about the irritation. Yet they recommend looking at the ingredients before buying any of their cosmetics. Some of them maybe still made using the old formula.
Milani
Not a single makeup product from Milani seems to contain bismuth. The brand is okay for people who do not have sensitive skin. Some of the ingredients they use tend to cause acne.
Illuminare
If you are looking to avoid talc, bismuth, oil and scent this is your brand. They actually got their makeup products tested through independent lab. Not many brands have the courage to do something like this. Their eyemakeup has SPF 15, but sadly, its colors are neutral like foundations.
L.A. Minerals
This brand religiously avoids bismuth and boasts about it too.
IQ Natural
Aimed at people with sensitive skin, this one is all about avoiding irritation causing ingredients. All cosmetics are organic and eco friendly.
List of Brands that Use Bismuth Oxychloride
- Lancome
- Pureminerals
- elf
- Maybelline
- Glo Minerals
- Bareminerals (Don't fall for the rumor that they removed bismuth from their formula)
- Clinique (including High Impact Mascara)
- Philosophy (found in Airbrushed Canvas)
- Arbonne
- Avon
- Sonia Kashuk
- Colorscience
- Youngblood
- Estee Lauder
- Sheer Cover
- Jordana
- Revlon
- Sugarpill
- Bobbi Brown
- Nivea
- NYX
- CoverGirl
- L'Oreal (Most toxic)
- Makeup Forever
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