IT seems there is a new mineral makeup brand popping up every month that?s actually good for one?s skin. Unlike regular makeup that is pinpointed to be the culprit for breakouts and skin irritation, mineral makeup is recommended for women who have had aggressive skin treatments and even surgical procedures as it contains trace minerals that actually heal and prevent skin irritations.

Not all mineral makeup are created equal as they have to be in loose-powder form to qualify as ?pure mineral.? Those in compact or pressed forms are called ?mineralized,? which means they contain waxes and binding agents that are non-mineral ingredients. These enable the formula to become a solid block and may cancel out some of the mineral ingredients? potency and even cause breakouts.

The top locally available brands known for being pure minerals are Jane Iredale, True Scents and Minerals Arcade 6 (at Renaissance Hotel Makati City). There is also Youngblood cosmetics, founded by aesthetic assistant Pauline Youngblood in 1996, which is exclusively available at Beauty Bar. There is another brand, Bare Escentuals Minerals, which I have yet to try.

The newest kid on the block that has come up with more affordable pure mineral makeup is The Body Shop. By saying more affordable, it does not necessarily mean cheap or even reasonable from a student?s-budget point of reference, but the price is considerably lower than the leading brands. Body Shop?s formula is talc-free. Talc may be a mineral as well but it has been linked to skin breakouts.

More formulas

Nature?s Minerals Foundation SPF 25 is a long-lasting powder foundation that has a Sun Protective Factor (SPF) of 25 to protect skin from sun damage. It?s the ideal choice for those with sensitive skin. Easy to blend and build, it also expertly reduces the appearance of redness, imperfections, blemishes and visible pores.

Rich in the earth?s minerals, Nature?s Minerals? ingredients include Mediterranean clay and kaolin, which together ensure amazing staying power; sericite to promote luster; mica-based pearls for healthy-looking bloom; and mica to help disguise fine lines. Red, yellow and black iron oxide provide color while titanium dioxide helps provide sun protection. It comes in Shades 02, 03, 04 and 05.

Nature?s Minerals Eye Color gives you six of the very best up-to-the-minute shades. This stunning, slightly shimmering array of nature-inspired hues is out of this world. Long-lasting, brilliantly blendable, cleverly crease-resistant and fragrance and preservative-free. Its shades have been ophthalmologically tested, and are suitable for wearers of contact lenses, as well as those with sensitive skin. Plus, it contains light-diffusing ingredients to diffuse fine lines so women of all ages can use it.

Packaged in recyclable containers with lids made from 15-percent post-consumer recycled materials, its four shades are 01 Shade: Platinum Shimmer, 04 Shade: Pink Opal, 05 Shade: Bronzed Amber, and 06 Shade: Molten Bronze

Nature?s Minerals Cheek Color delivers a sheer flush of shimmering color to skillfully define and accentuate cheeks. Choose from the following shades: 01 Shade: Pink Quartz, 02 Shade: Golden Terracotta, 03 Shade: Warm Copper, 04 Shade: Brown Topaz.

The Nature?s Minerals Makeup range also includes a Foundation Brush, Blusher Brush, and Eye shadow Brush, which is 100-percent free of animal hair contained in shrink sleeves.

All items have been dermatologically tested; they are oil-free, non-comedogenic and free from potential irritants like preservatives and fragrances.

Nature?s Minerals is one Christmas gift to consider for teens who keep digging into mom?s expensive makeup or for friends with very sensitive skin or simply very passionate about anti-animal testing.

E-mail kinnysalas@yahoo.com.