Titanium Dioxide Explained

Titanium Dioxide is one of the main ingredients used in the manufacture of mineral makeup.

It is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium and is used in cosmetics, paint and food coloring. It is known for its white, opaque color.

It has a CI number of CI 77891.

It comes in loose powder form. It feels and looks like powdery, white chalk.

It is the most widely used white pigment. It has a very high sheen and refractive index. Only a few ingredients are known to have a higher refractive index, one of which is diamonds.

The main benefits it provides are whiteness, opacity and sunscreen. This makes it ideal for mineral makeup. It helps to give coverage to mineral foundation.

It can be included anywhere from 6% to 25% in mineral foundation, usually. The higher the concentration, the more opaque the finished product will be and the higher sunscreen it will have.

This ingredient blocks the sun physically, thus making it great for those with sensitive skin. It does not absorb into the skin like many chemical sunscreens.

It comes in micronized or regular-sized particles. Micronized particles have been microscopically ground to a very fine size.

Some mineral makeup companies choose to use the micronized version, saying it gives a smoother, creamier, lighter feel to the makeup.

Others do not use it, as there is some controversy over the safety of breathing such small particles. It is said that they are so tiny, that they absorb into your bloodstream.

I recommend the regular version. It is much cheaper to buy, thus lowering the price of the final mineral makeup product. It also gives just as good (if not better) results than the micronized version.

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