Today, beauty brands offer an impressive selection of skincare products formulated with various minerals. Such products are considered extremely useful and effective, but what exactly are the beauty benefits of mineral skincare ingredients? Check out our list of 7 minerals that are often used in skincare products and their beauty benefits.
There are two main types of skincare products with minerals: those formulated with pure minerals or their salts, or those containing mineral-rich ingredients, such as cosmetic clays, sea salt, Himalayan salt, thermal water, Dead Sea mud, etc. In addition, some oils and plant extracts used as cosmetic ingredients can also serve as a source of dietary minerals.
Minerals can be found in a lot of various cosmetic products, including moisturisers, face masks, spays and mists, facial serums, make-up removers, toners, etc. Their purpose in a particular cosmetic product depends on the type of product, dosage, and form. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most widely used minerals in skincare products.
Calcium
Calcium is most often present in cosmetic products in the form of calcium carbonate, a common chemical compound found in the shells of snails and marine organisms, pearls, eggshells, and rocks. As a skincare ingredient, it is typically used as an absorbent that removes excess sebum from the skin surface and thus has a matte effect. In addition, calcium carbonate is a mild abrasive, and is therefore added to facial scrubs and peels for mechanical skin exfoliation.
Another calcium salt that can be found in skincare products is calcium lactate. It is a registered food additive that has a number of medicinal and cosmetic uses. For example, calcium lactate is a common ingredient in peel-off alginate masks; it has a toning, moisturising and softening effect, reduces inflammation, and prevents red and puffy skin.
Magnesium
Free magnesium is highly reactive, therefore skincare products are always formulated with its salts instead of pure magnesium. Common magnesium salts used as cosmetic ingredients include magnesium sulphate, magnesium silicate, magnesium aspartate, magnesium myristate, magnesium stearate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium lactate, and magnesium gluconate. The skin benefits of magnesium depend largely on which form of the mineral is used in a particular skincare product.
For example, magnesium sulphate, commonly known as Epsom salt, has anti-inflammatory properties, magnesium aluminium silicate is an absorbent and rejuvenating ingredient, and magnesium gluconate has a softening and rejuvenating effect, which makes it great for mature and acne-prone skin.
Silicon
Silicon is an essential element in biology, although human body requires only trace amounts of it. It is considered important for the health of nails, hair and skin. Since the amount of silicon in human body reduces with age, this mineral is often added to anti-age skincare products. It helps to stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, makes the skin firmer and boosts its elasticity alongside collagen and elastin, accelerates the healing of minor skin injuries, prevents the destruction of collagen fibres caused by glucose compounds, and boosts the skin’s natural protective functions.
Silicone is added to cosmetic products in the form of both inorganic and organic compounds. They include, for example, orthosilicic acid found in horsetail extract or diatoms (microalgae), or aluminosilicates that are a major component of kaolin and other clay minerals.
Zinc
Zinc has pronounced anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, so it is widely used in various anti-acne medications and cosmetic products designed for oily and problem skin. It also has excellent regenerative properties; skincare products with zinc help to speed up skin healing after minor injuries.
Zinc oxide is the most popular zinc-based cosmetic ingredient. In addition to soothing the skin and reducing inflammation, it provides strong protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide is considered to be a non-irritating, non-allergenic and non-comedogenic sunscreen ingredient.
Manganese
When used as a skincare ingredient, manganese can produce a protective and regenerative effect, stimulate the production of collagen, neutralise free radicals due to its antioxidant properties, make the skin smoother, help to regulate skin cell metabolism, cleanse the skin, and eliminate acne. The most common forms of manganese used in cosmetics are manganese chloride and manganese gluconate.
Sulphur
Precipitated sulphur has a variety of cosmetic uses; it is mostly found in skincare products for oily, combination, and problem skin due to its specific properties. For example, sulphur produces a gentle exfoliating effect, prevents comedones (blackheads), demonstrates antiseptic properties, helps to normalise the production of sebum (skin oil) and thus prevents shiny skin. When combined with zinc oxide, precipitated sulphur can be used to treat acne and dermatitis.
Copper
Copper is very important for the skin because its deficiency can slow down skin regeneration after damage. Skincare products with copper are designed to make the skin thicker, restore the structure of collagen and elastin fibres that are important for the skin’s firmness and elasticity, and speed up the healing of various skin injuries. In addition, various salts of copper used in cosmetics can have an antibacterial effect, regulate sebum secretion, and protect the skin from everyday stress.
Most common copper salts that can be found in skincare products are copper gluconate, copper chloride, and copper pyroglutamate. In addition, copper, alongside zinc, calcium and manganese, is part of Sepitonic М4, a patented cosmetic ingredient that prevents the accumulation of toxins in the skin, improves complexion, slows down the ageing process, and helps the skin to breathe.
Finally, copper peptides deserve a special mention. Copper peptides are compounds consisting of copper and amino acids. Skincare products with copper peptides help to reduce wrinkles, prevent acne scars, boost the skin’s firmness and elasticity, protect the skin from UV damage, and even out skin tone.
Other minerals used in skincare products include iron, titanium, gold, silver, and many others. In our online shop Organic Store, you can always find affordable skincare products with minerals produced by natural and organic cosmetic brands. At Organic Store, we offer a wide range of skin and hair care products, convenient payment methods, and international delivery to most countries.
