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Many cosmetic and skin care product manufacturers are on the green bandwagon. Natural skin care products, formerly only a concern of environmentalists or people with extremely sensitive skin, are now offered by several companies. One of the greatest advances in natural skin care is mineral make-up. However, although it's good for your skin and the environment, not all are as natural as their makers would have you believe.

Mineral make-up is made with materials straight from Mother Nature- plants and, well, rocks. However, when choosing a brand, you have to be careful the products don't also include mineral oil, other petroleum products, and dyes.

Acceptable additives include a variety of natural dyes such as carmine (made from beetles), Prussian blue (ferric ferrocyanide), lake pigment, and titanium dioxide, which also acts as a sunscreen. Mica is fine, too, as long as it isn't made with FD&C colorants.

Some mineral make-up also contains vitamins A, C, and E - all are antioxidants and beneficial no matter what type of skin care product you're using - and vitamin K, which can help lighten dark circles under the eyes. Pure pearl powder, another common ingredient, also fights free radicals.

You also may find something called 'natural pearl essence.' This is made from fish scales and gives the skin a delicate sheen. Pure pearl powder also adds to the sheen.

Cucumber and green tea extract, common ingredients in many natural skin care products, are both great for the skin. The green tea is high in antioxidants, and cucumber acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps tighten the skin.

If you decide to switch to mineral make-up, do a little online research first and do your best to find products that don't contain harmful chemicals. However, to make sure you're truly protected you should also use a shielding lotion. A good shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a protective layer that keeps out chemicals. It goes on smoothly, leaving no greasy residue, so your mineral make-up won't stick to it like it may with other products.

Going green with mineral make-up and other natural skin care treatment is a healthy choice for both your skin and the environment. Give it a try, but don't forget the shielding lotion!

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