Mineral Makeup Must Haves: Create a Flawless Complexion Using Pure Ingredients from the Earth

Mica in rock formation. 

Earth Month has arrived. It gives us the chance to re-evaluate the way we recycle, reuse and reduce waste, and to rethink how we utilize our resources.

In the beauty industry, mineral makeup foundations, concealers, blushes and shadows contain mica, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These finely ground natural minerals appeal to a variety of skin types, including acne and rosacea sufferers, due to the pureness of their properties. 

Mica can be found in a variety of rock formations. It possesses the ability to retain a sheen and glimmer in direct light, so it enhances luminosity and color when used in cosmetics products. 

Zinc oxide protects against sunburn. Due to its ability to sit on the skin's surface without being absorbed, it blocks the rays of ultraviolet light when used in sunscreens. It also contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, so it's considered nonirritating, nonallergenic and noncomedogenic. 

Titanium dioxide has a high refraction capacity. Therefore, it's often utilized in cosmetics products to reflect light away from the skin. Similar to zinc oxide, it's added to sunscreens to block ultraviolet rays since it doesn't absorb into the dermal surface.

To make mineral makeup more moisturizing for the skin, formulations often blend in a variety of hydrating ingredients. They include sea kelp, jojoba seed and avocado oils, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and aloe vera leaf juice. In honor of Earth Month, we've assembled the latest, greatest foundations and concealers designed to give you a luminous, flawless complexion. 

Let the celebration begin!

SHINE: Beauty Without Cruelty Ultimate Natural Liquid Foundation (Light, Beige and Medium) and Super Cover Cream Concealer (Fair and Medium). BEAUTY: Balances and nourishes skin with titanium dioxide, iron oxides, jojoba seed and avocado oils, and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens, SLS/SLES and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: Emani Hydrating Liquid Mineral Foundation (Natural Beige). BEAUTY: Apricot kernel oil, mica, hyaluronic acid and jojoba seed oil maximize coverage and moisture. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no parabens, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, FD&C dyes, glutens or talc.

SHINE: IT Cosmetics IT-O2 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen Foundation (Light). BEAUTY: Create a flawless finish, and smooth and soften skin with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, C and E. BEACON: No animal testing. Paraben and fragrance free. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream (Warm Glow). BEAUTY: Zinc oxide, coconut oil, aloe vera leaf juice, and apple and grape buds help color correct your complexion and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: USDA Organic certified. Free of parabens, petroleum, propylene and butylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: (Clockwise) Mineral Fusion Sheer Tint Foundation (Olive), Concealer Duo (Deep), Loose Powder Foundation (Warm 2) and Pressed Powder Foundation (Neutral 1). BEAUTY: Even skin tone, and smooth the appearance of fine lines with pomegranate extract, red and white tea leaf extracts, sea kelp, mica, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SHINE: Scott-Vincent Borba Anti-Fatigue 8 Hour Mineral Foundation: Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Duo with Broad Spectrum SPF 29 (Medium) and Anti-Fatigue Foundation/Contour Perfecting Brush. BEAUTY: Mica, diamond powder, jojoba seed oil and hyaluronic acid revitalize and restore tired skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

SHINE: Sumbody Olive Forever Medium Foundation and Under-Eye Concealer. BEAUTY: Create a natural finish and increase moisture retention with zinc oxide, pearl and silk powders, and silica microspheres. BEACON: Contains no parabens, animal oils, sulfates, artificial preservatives or synthetic chemicals. 

SHINE: Tarte Cosmetics BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer SPF 30 (Light, Medium and Tan). BEAUTY: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica and diamond powder minimize pores and skin imperfections, and maximize radiance. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Formulated without parabens, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. Supports the Sustainable Amazon Partnership.

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Radiance Creme Powder Foundation (Tawnee). BEAUTY: Soothe redness and step up suppleness with peptides, algae extract and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no alcohol, artificial fragrances and dyes, parabens, petroleum, mineral oil or talc. 

Fall Beauty Trend: Magical Mineral Makeup

Fall comes alive as the most magical time of the year. The leaves turn into colorful kaleidoscopes, pumpkins become abundant, and the weather changes from hot to not. 

Faster than you can say abracadabra, fall beauty trends start to emerge as well. One we hope won't pull a vanishing act on us anytime soon is mineral makeup. What first began as a best kept secret in spas across the country has now gained mainstream appeal and grown in popularity.

Mineral makeup contains a magic bag of tricks. It consists of natural ingredients from the earth, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which protect against the sun's harmful rays. Plus, these formulations often include healing antioxidants such as pomegranate seed extract, aloe vera, white and green tea extracts, and vitamins A, C and E.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics at LA Fashion Week in 2010.

Mineral makeup suits all skin types--and that's no hocus pocus. Its anti-inflammatory and non-irritation properties make it an ideal choice for people with hyperpigmentation, or sensitive, oily, acne, dry or rosacea-prone conditions. Another benefit includes its ability to absorb excess oil, so your pores won't clog.

Susan Posnick Cosmetics introduced at the LakeHouse Spa at 
Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas.

Best of all, loose, liquid and pressed mineral cosmetics offer the appearance of an even skin tone and a youthful glow. For those with busy lifestyles, its weightless-like coverage lasts for long periods without touchups. It can also be used after laser surgery, microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

Take a look at the latest mineral makeup products on the market this fall. They don't need any smoke or mirrors to work their magic. 

SHINE: Advanced Mineral Makeup Liquid Mineral Foundation (ginger snap) and Perfecting Concealer (golden cream). BEAUTY: In addition to reawakening tired skin, these silky formulas will make you feel like someone has just given you the keys to a magic kingdom. BEACON: Contains no talc, artificial fragrances, parabens, dyes or preservatives.

SHINE: Afterglow Cosmetics Organic Mineral Foundations (bisque and camel), Ultra Matte Eye Shadow (bark) and Organic Infused Blushes (tickle and cozy). BEAUTY: These luminous, lightweight and loose minerals will hold you spellbound. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of glutens, GMO, carmine, mineral oil, soy, parabens and FD&C dyes. Supports the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Young Survival Coalition.

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Antioxidant Mineral Foundation (honey beige). BEAUTY: Cast aside any illusions you may have about mineral makeup, as this foundation nourishes your skin with acai berry fruit extract, jojoba seed oil, and green and white tea leaf extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no talc, artificial fragrances and colors, synthetic preservatives, parabens or animal by-products.

SHINE: Sumbody Just Peachy Foundations (dark, medium and fair). BEAUTY: Shazam! These minerals help discoloration disappear with mica, pearl and silk powders, shea butter, and green and white tea leaf extracts. BEACON: Free of parabens, animal oils, artificial preservatives and synthetic chemicals.

SHINE: Susan Posnick Cosmetics ColorFlo Mineral Foundation (M2), ColorEssential Lipstick (milan) and ColorDuo Matte Lipliner/Lipstick (nude/rouge). BEAUTY: You don't need to be a magician to perfect your pout and complete your coverage with these makeup bag must-haves. BEACON: Supports SOAR (Success, Opportunity, Academics and Relationship) Mentor Program and Big Thought.

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow Quad (moulin rouge), Lipstick (blushing nude) and Mineral Radiance Creme Powder Foundation (neutral). BEAUTY: Get ready to take a magic carpet ride with contemporary colors that promote clean coverage for your eyes, lips and complexion. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, talc, artificial fragrances or dyes.