Acne.org Products
What ingredients should be avoided in a loose mineral powder foundation?
I'm considering trying mineral powder foundation but am confused by all the online comments about this or that ingredient being bad for acne-prone skin--or for skin in general. For example, I've read that talc is a no-no; then I read that Bismuth Oxychloride, which usually takes the place of talc, may be considered worse than talc.
Thank you,
PI
Hey PrettyInside,
Bismuth Oxychloride can cause very severe cystic acne for some people and should really be avoided if you're already suffering from acne. Talc can clog your pores, too, and therefore can cause breakouts (not for everyone though), but it is not known to trigger severe skin reactions. However, if a mineral powder contains talc, it is not a real 'mineral' product.
Hey PrettyInside,
Bismuth Oxychloride can cause very severe cystic acne for some people and should really be avoided if you're already suffering from acne. Talc can clog your pores, too, and therefore can cause breakouts (not for everyone though), but it is not known to trigger severe skin reactions. However, if a mineral powder contains talc, it is not a real 'mineral' product.
Hmmm... I've heard of these ingredients and, based on what you've written, will avoid them. But I think I've also read that mica can cause breakouts, too. But if you remove talc and/or Bismuth Oxychloride, as well as mica, what's left to formulate a mineral foundation? In all seriousness, though, I don't know that I've found one mineral powder that doesn't contain at least one of those three ingredients. 🙁
If you don't have a mica allergy, it will not be a problem. (If you're allergic you will notice soon since it will itch if you have an allergy.)
I'd recommend trying a mineral foundation with mica and w/o bismuth and talc, and if it does not work for you, you can still try a foundation only containing Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide and Iron Oxides. 
...You can still try a foundation only containing Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide and Iron Oxides.
You wouldn't happen to know of any mineral-powder brands that contain just those three ingredients, would you?
Those are the basic ingredients and you should be able to find many online, usually the small mom & pop shops. MAD minerals is one. Meow has a formula without mica. There's a list in the thread I started on comparing brands just a few posts down on this forum.