Bismuth Oxychloride?

Question

What is Bismuth Oxychloride? What does it do?

Answer 1

Companies use this in their cosmetics because it is cheap to buy and is an inexpensive filler. It does have binding qualities, so the makeup will "stick" to your skin, so to speak. There are other products that are just as effective at adhesion, and are better for your skin. Because of its molecular make up, it is often viewed as shiny or pearlescent. It is often sold in these two varieties. This makes it highly refractive, which is something companies want. Refraction will camouflage fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations. If you use a brand with bismuth oxychloride you'll notice a shiny look after applying the makeup. Not like oiliness, but almost shimmery. That's the bismuth oxychloride.

Answer 2

One article about Bismuth Oxychloride:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Mineral-Makeup-and-Bismuth-Oxychloride&id=68978

Bismuth Oxychloride's listing in the Household Products Database, a government Web site that includes a list of cosmetic or other products which contain this chemical:
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=chem&id=1337

A government Web site with a regulation concerning Bismuth Oxychloride's use as a color additive:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/cf731162.html

The EWG Ingredient Report for Bismuth Oxychloride:
http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/report.php?type=INGREDIENT&id=2268

Answer 3

To BiOCl or Not to BiOCl

Bismuth Oxychloride. It seems to be the major topic of conversation regarding mineral makeup. What is this stuff and what's the big deal? I'm going to be as objective as possible here, going on my own research, interviews, and personal experience. First, we should start off with exactly what it is.

*Warning... Small bits of science ahead*

Bismuth Oxychloride (BiOCl) is a non-toxic, nacreous (NAY-kree-us) pigment, also known as a pearlescent pigment, color additive, and adherent. Bismuth is a soft metal, and Bismuth Oxychloride is a precipitate byproduct of a chemical reaction between Bismuth Chloride and water. It has been used in cosmetics since the days of Cleopatra and Nefertiti. Cosmetic companies use this ingredient not really as a filler, but to give makeup luster and "sticking power" (superior skin adhesion that makes for longer wear and fewer touch-ups). It's more functional than to just give volume to a product.

With regard to mineral makeup, Bismuth Oxychloride gives that same "sticking power", and also allows for the minerals to glide smoothly and evenly onto the skin without as much buffing, and gives skin a fresh, dewy look. Some opponents to Bismuth Oxychloride will say it is the reason you must "buff, buff, buff" your minerals to get them to blend into your skin. My personal experience and others I've interviewed say this is not true. Take a product containing Bismuth Oxychloride and one without. Rub them between your fingers or onto your skin. You can feel how effortlessly the Bismuth-containing product glides over the skin.

Now before this starts sounding a little one-sided, let's look at the drawbacks to Bismuth. There are going to be some folks who are sensitive to this ingredient. In the instances of intolerability with Bismuth Oxychloride, complaints of accentuation of large pores, itching, increased acne breakouts, rash, and irritation - particularly when sweating, have been reported. Symptoms usually clear very quickly after discontinuing use. This sensitivity is not isolated to those with sensitive, rosacea-prone, or acne-prone skin. It's all very individual, and doesn't pick on one group. Some folks, no matter what skin type, can wear makeup with Bismuth Oxychloride and some can't, and some will just prefer one over the other. You just have to try them for yourself.

There are those who don't wish to or can't wear minerals containing Bismuth Oxychloride, but they also dislike the application or feel of mineral makeup without it. These folks don't have to miss out, because there are other alternatives. Some minerals contain Boron Nitride (An inorganic powder composed of boron and nitrogen). Boron Nitride provides superior "slip" to a product (how smoothly the product applies) as well as sticking power or adhesion. Another alternative ingredient to look for is silk or silk protein powder, which is fantastic for skin and does wonders for the feel of the product on your skin. Be prepared to pay a little extra for the silk, though.

At Saphoros, we are currently clearing out our line of minerals with Bismuth, as well as our old bismuth-free line to make room for our new line of bismuth-free makeup, Lueur Jeune™. This new line of minerals contain 100% silk, skin-healing Allantoin, Boron Nitride, and other better alternatives to Bismuth. We're also introducing different skincare foundation formulas tailored just for your skin type. If you don't know which formula or colors you prefer, feel free to try our economically priced samples.

At Saphoros, your skin means everything.

Article by Donna Standridge, Owner and Founder of Saphoros
http://www.saphoros.com/bismuth.htm

Also see:
http://potency.berkeley.edu/chempages/BISMUTH%20OXYCHLORIDE.html

Answer 4

IT IS A COLOR ADDITIVE.