Healthy Beauty-Style Guide, by Lisa D Liguori~
There is a dirty little rumor floating around that titanium dioxide, a key ingredient in mineral makeup, is harmful to our health. Titanium dioxide is not only in mineral makeup, but in so many different types of traditional and healthy beauty makeup, from lipstick to nail polish. In mineral makeup, it adds sunscreen protection & coverage to our skin.
Is Titanium Dioxide safe?
Oh boy. You know, this is a tough question. And really, I don't have a definitive answer for you. Sorry. That would make it so easy. Right?
The quick answer is, with all my knowledge and experience in the cosmetic world, Yes. I believe it is.
I use it.
If that helps at all.
I want to say that, for better or for worse, I am not a scientist. I follow my intuition. And do tons of research. This may resonate with some of you. It may turn some of you off.
However, I certainly don't want to be flip and take the issue lightly.
So let's work it out a bit, and keep it real simple and easy.
First, to read up on what titanium dioxide is, click here.
Titanium dioxide concerns~
Here are the issues, as I see them, and the answers that I can give you to the best of my knowledge, or anyones at this point.
- Causes free radical damage
- Causes cancer
Free Radical Damage?
Titanium dioxide is a natural sunscreen. It actually blocks and absorbs sun damage from occurring, which protects your skin from sun damage, as opposed to causing sun or free radical damage. However, the questionable aspect comes in when you are speaking about nano sized titanium dioxide; which may indeed cause some free radical damage. Stay away from nano sized particles, until we know more about the effects. So, check this off your worry list.
Style Essentials does not carry any nano particles in titanium dioxide, nor in any mineral product.
A carcinogen?
Rats exposed to high concentrations of powdered titanium dioxide dust showed evidence that it caused lung cancer. Similar cancers were found in people working in dusty environments. (Not titanium dioxide, just general dust). Keep in mind, this is in reference to industrial environments, and LARGE quantities of dust. In fact, human studies do not even suggest an association between occupational exposure to titanium dioxide and cancer. Feel safe with your jar of mineral makeup, and the bit of dust that emerges. I do.
Katherine Corkill writes an excellent response here about the safety of titanium dioxide. She addresses many of the issues, including the flying powder issue. Read more about what Katherine has to say in PersonalCareTruth.com. By the way, Katherine offers a fabulous line of mineral makeup as well, in case for some strange reason, you don't use Style Essential Minerals. 
Does this help? Does it raise more questions? Feel free to ask them. I will do my best to help.
No more waking up in the middle of the night worrying about your mineral makeup. All is well.
For those of you who would like an alternative to titanium dioxide in your mineral makeup, I can work with you. Contact me here to let me know. I like to give you as many options as possible.
