Mineral Makeup for Oil Control

by Turquoise

My dermatologist said it’s no surprise that many people have combination skin (that is, your skin is oilier in the forehead, nose and chin). I happen to have combination skin, too. To control the oiliness, I follow a daily skin care regimen and use oil blotting papers within the day. I wasn’t into pressed powders because its finish was downright chalky. Worst of all, I got zits afterwards. Luckily, all that changed when I discovered mineral makeup powders that had oil control properties.

Oil controlling mineral makeup usually contains Kaolin Clay, which is known for its oil absorbing properties. Check out the ingredient list the next time you’re looking for an oil blotting powder. Ingredients such as silica are known to be oil absorbent, but look for Kaolin Clay if you want your oil-blotting powder to be made of pure minerals.

I’ve tried different kinds of oil controlling mineral makeup. They’re all great, but each has their own pros and cons.

Monave Angel - I like that it’s yellow since I have strong yellow undertones. I use this the most often because I like the matte, but not dull finish

Valerie Beauty Matte Finish - This does its job quite well, and lives up to the product name. Use a small amount, since putting on too much can lighten your foundation.

Pure Luxe Powder Eraser – One of my favorites. It works as a primer, too. This product evens out skintone, as well as absorb excess oil.

Larenim Dusk Til Dawn – It claims to help combat breakouts, soothe and heal skin, and blot excess oil. Wow! Another multi-purpose product! It’s the most effective when it comes to absorbing excess oil. Be careful with how you apply, though, since it has an opaque finish. Use this sparingly, unless you want to look like a ghost.

Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil - I like the fact that it’s translucent, but it doesn’t alter the shade of my foundation. However, it contains cornstarch, which has a short shelf life.

You might want to consider Monave Silica. I’ve read good reviews about this product.

Once you pick that product that meets your needs, here are some tips to avoid excess shine:

1. Look for ingredients with oil-absorbing properties such as Kaolin Clay and Silica.

2. Try using an oil mattifier before applying mineral makeup

3. Use an oil-free moisturizer.

4. Follow the sandwich method – oil control finishing powder, foundation, oil control finishing powder

5. If touch-ups are needed, use your preferred oil control finishing powder.

6. If all else fails, oil-blotting sheets can do the trick.

As I search for the ultimate cure for excessive oil for my oily t-zone, I’ll continue using different oil control mineral makeups out there.

*The Mineral Makeup Girl’s side note : Monave Silica is actually good! It’s very raw, so use sparingly. Apply sheerly because it is in pure form. It gives the illusion of flawless skin because of its light reflecting properties, and controls oil like a dream. My new discovery is Coastalscent’s Finishing Veil, which does not only control oil, but gives a porcelain doll’s finish.