Informative - MMU Ingredients
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free skin care · Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:36 pm

I recently suffered a strange skin reaction (small hive type allergic rash) to a new MMU that I had been trying for two weeks. I am stumped as to what ingredient caused this reaction and I am desperately trying to figure it out so I can avoid this happening again. While searching around to try and see what ingredient may have been the culprit I came across this info and thought I would pass it along to you ladies as well:

http://www.saphoros.com/articles/ingredient_article.htm

I still do not know what caused my bizarre break-out...but I will figure it out one day I'm sure.

free skin care · Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:00 pm

Fairlady, what brand are you using? I'd need more details to be sure, but it sounds an awful lot like a bismuth oxychloride reaction. A lot of brands of MMU contain this mineral, and many people are allergic. Bare Escentual / id is definitely one of the culprits, FYI.

Anyway, thank you for posting this article -- I'm looking forward to finding out about more nasty ingredients to avoid!

Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:58 pm

I am curious as to what brand you are using, too, fairlady. But based on my personal experience, I would have to guess Bismuth, too. It gives me a terrible excema reaction. Sad

free skin care · Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:20 am

Hi Ladies -

Nope not Bismuth. That's the strange thing - I really don't know what ingredient caused this to happen. I have been using Lumiere Veena Velvet for the last 6-8 months with no problem, I have also tried Alima, Silk Naturals & Youngblood and never had a skin reaction. The MMU that caused this was Lauress Minimalist. I was using samples of it for about 2 weeks and just loved it (better finish than all the others, very natural looking) so I was going to order the full size when my face broke out overnight with dozens of these little red bumps. I looked like I had Chicken Pox. I stopped using the Lauress on Thursday and I still am not 100% recovered.

The ingredients in Lauress Minimalist are:
Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides & Mica. Some may contain Ultramarines depending on the color.

The Ingredients in Lumiere Veena Velvet are:
Veena Velvet Foundation: premium grade serecite (colorless mica), titanium dioxide, avena sativa, zinc oxide, iron oxide, magnesium stearate.

So is it because Titanium is the first ingredient and it is just too strong for my skin?

I also was using Lauress's Jump Start Primer & Fantastic finishing powder so maybe one of these caused the reaction.

Primer ingredients include: Calcium Carbonate & Kaolin

Finishing Powder ingredients include: Silica & Kaolin.

Any Ideas Ladies?

free skin care · Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:34 am

This is an interesting link, but readers please be aware that it has a substantial amount of "spin" ie: Ingredients the site's MMU contains are termed "good," and others are "bad." This is simply not so. It is interesting, as I say, and informative -- to a point. I would not, however, call it "factual."

Also, fairlady, be aware that not all titanium dioxides are created equal. At least, this is my experience, and I've worn MMU for almost 25 years. You may be sensitive to one manufacturer's TD and not another's (really frustrating, I know.) A high percentage of TD may be the culprit, or Lauress's unique TD. All you can really deduce for certain from your reaction is that you can't wear the Lauress makeup you tried.

free skin care · Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:36 am

Interesting Sidda. Can you explain further what you mean when you say 'not all Titanium Dioxides are created equal' - What would the differences be and how would one identify them?

Thanks Much

free skin care · Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:58 am

I suspect that sizing of the titanium dioxide particles could make a difference. Perhaps smaller particles might clog pores or cause irritation within the pores?

free skin care · Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:27 am

Ladies here is an update:

I emailed Lauren (Owner of Lauress MMU) about the problem I experienced and she was super fast about replying back to me. I think she figured out the cause of my bad reaction. Here is her reply:

I think we have found the culprit! Just this week, actually, I have been contemplating a reformulation of our primer and finisher to remove the KAOLIN CLAY because I have recently heard this can cause bumps to appear on some people’s skin. It didn’t occur to me to ask about these products, but as soon as you mentioned you were using them I had an “AH HA” moment! I cross referenced the other brands you have used without reaction and none of them contain kaolin in the foundations. I believe you can continue to use the foundation without problems and recommend you stay away from Kaolin clay in powder leave-on products.

If you would like, I will send you samples of the reformulated Primer and Finisher to test later this week (have to formulate them first). I am so sorry this caused you problems. I am going to e-mail you a coupon code that you can use on your next order (or if you want to save it for a future order that is fine also) for 25% off your total order.

Thank you so much for contacting me and please let me know if you have any other problems after discontinuing use of the primer and finisher.

Sincerely,

Lauren

It makes sense. Like Lauren said - none of the other MMU products I have used in the past contained Kaolin. I really liked her foundation and because she was so concerned & provided outstanding customer service I think I am going to give the foundation another try. I will let you know in a few weeks if all went well.

free skin care · Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:26 pm

Hm -- I certainly hope that Kaolin is indeed the culprit, but I'm a tiny bit skeptical! Kaolin is pretty inert, and it's in a LOT of masks, cleansers, etc.

If cutting the kaolin doesn't work, I'd recommend doing a test where you cut the calcium carbonate and the silica (one at a time). Both of those could potentially be the irritants, too, and they don't seem to appear in your other prior MMUs either!

Good luck!

free skin care · Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:22 pm

I must say that Lauren offers great customer service. I have not ordered from her (yet) but would consider it.

Some ladies on MineralMakeupMania.com cannot use kaolin clay at all.

It is a great forum if you like MMU.

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