Jane Iredale Q&A

Is the makeup safe for all skin types?
Yes. Its non-sensitizing and sun protective ingredients make it especially appropriate for allergy-prone, compromised or healing skin.

Is it all right to use it on acne-prone skin?
Yes. It is completely non-comedogenic and allows the skin to breathe and function normally. It also easily covers the redness common with eruptions. We have also had many aestheticians tell us that they have seen an improvement in the skins of their clients since they have been using Iredale cosmetics.

May I use Iredale with Retin-A?
Yes. Iredale can be used with any skin care regimen. The SPE the minerals provide is especially important while using Retin-A.

Is it necessary to wear additional sunscreens when using the minerals?
No. You may if you wish. We always believe that you can’t wear too much protection in the sun. However, be careful of comedogenic or sensitivity reactions to some chemical sunscreens. Because our minerals provide a physical sunscreen, there are no chemicals to cause reactions, and the sun protection works for as long as the minerals are on the skin.
How do you increase the sun protection?
Our makeup has an FDA approved SPE 17 for the pressed bases and SPF 20 for the loose. This was achieved with one light coverage. The light coverage was applied with a brush just the way you would use it if you were applying a normal makeup. When the tester applied a second layer, the protection increased. The increase in protection will, of course, depend on how much you apply.

How soon can the makeup be applied after laser, microdermabrasion or peels?
The minerals can be applied immediately after a microdermabrasion or a peel. They will not only cover the redness but the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are anti-inflammatories, which will help to calm the erythema.

Application after laser resurfacing must depend on the physician’s permission. Many factors are involved including the laser that was used and how deeply it was used. Almost always, makeup can be applied as soon as the skin has re­epithelized. One of the important things to remember is that it is essential for healing skin to be protected by the sun. Minerals provide this as well as coverage and soothing properties.What are the best colors for camouflaging redness?
Definitely not green! Green works fine for artists working on canvass when they want to neutralize red, but it doesn’t work on the human skin. It leaves a gray, ghost-like pall, which is very unattractive. Our yellow bases do an excellent job of concealing red. Our most yellow base is Warm Sienna, and that is our most popular color for camouflaging erythema. Warm Silk, Amber and Golden Glow also work extremely well.
Is the loose or pressed powder better for post-laser?
Either will cover the erythema and give the necessary sun protection. You might want to bear in mind, however, that the new skin after laser is extremely sensitive and the fewer ingredients you have to worry about, the better. The loose contains less than the pressed. Our advice on lasered skin is to keep it as simple as possible.

Will the minerals cover bruising or birthmarks?
Yes. However, the shadow of some dark bruising may show through. Try the peach Circleor CoverCare to camouflage anything that the powders won’t. Please refer to the Application section to learn how to use them.
I don’t believe your SPF rating. How is it possible to build the SPF when everything I’ve read says you can’t do that?It would be illegal for us to advertise an SPF rating if we didn’t have it. A laboratory in accordance with the criteria laid down by the FDA tested our bases. Powder was brushed on skin to give one light coverage. The skin was then exposed to UV rays. This resulted in a Sun Protection Factor of 17 for the pressed and 20 for the loose. When another layer was added, the protection was increased. This is because our sun protection does not rely on chemicals, which absorb the sun’s rays and eventually become ineffectual. Our sun protection is based on physical properties, which are the minute crystals of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They act like hundreds of thousands of tiny mirrors reflecting back the sun’s rays. They not only reflect UV but also infrared rays, and they will keep doing their job until they are removed.
What does a water- and perspiration-proof rating mean?
Under the new FDA monograph, no manufacturer is now allowed to claim a “water proof” rating. The highest nomenclature that is allowed is “very water resistant.” This is a rating allowed by the FDA when a product has successfully completed its criteria for underwater testing. It requires that product be placed on a human subject and immersed in moving water for 80 minutes. The SPF is then tested. In the case of our makeup, it maintained its SPF and, therefore, acquired a “very water resistant” rating.It applies to our mineral powders this way. If you are perspiring heavily or swimming or you’ve been caught in the rain, don’t wipe your face with the towel -just pat it. You may remove a small amount of the makeup, but the majority will stay on the skin. Dancers have found jane iredale to be much easier than usual makeup because they don’t have to keep reapplying it during performance. If you are exercising in the sun, it would be wise to brush on another layer of minerals after you’ve dried you face.
Does Jane iredale work on older or aging skin?
Yes. Because this is a light-reflective cosmetic, it obscures fine lines and wrinkles and gives a healthy glow to the skin, making it look younger. Matte makeup absorbs light and allows the eye to see “into” the skin. On a very lined skin, it is helpful to spritz with water (preferably our D20 Heavy Water which resists evaporation) after applying the makeup. This softens lines and gives a dewy look.
Are the powders drying?
No, quite the reverse. Powders have a bad name because they usually contain talc, which is extremely drying. Our minerals actually trap moisture between the skin and the crystal layer..

What moisturizer is best used with the powders?
Your favorite. Just wait for it to be absorbed so that you have a smooth canvas to work on. If you don’t, the powders will grab unevenly.
What are the coloring agents in your cosmetics?
We color mostly with iron oxides and carmine. We may use manganese violet in some of our pink loose base powders. We use ultramarines, chromium oxide green, and chromium hydroxide green in our blue and green eye shadows. We never use FD&O (coal tar) dyes.

Is it O.K. to put your blush on eyes?
Yes, because we don’t use FD&C dyes in our blushes. FD&C dyes are not allowed for use around the eye area. Some red dyes (like Red #40) are extremely comedogenic. Break-outs in the cheek area could be related to this.
Do the eye shadows crease?
Not so far!

Are the lip and eye pencils interchangeable?
Absolutely. They all have the same ingredients.

Is the makeup easy to apply?
Extremely! The problem that first-time wearers commonly encounter is that they apply too much. Because they are used to using makeup that has large amounts of filler and no “pay-off,” they use the same techniques when applying jane iredale. With minerals, less is more. How long does it take to apply a full makeup?
Ten to fifteen minutes and it will last all day with no need for touch-ups!
May I apply it over my regular foundation?
Yes, but we don’t know why you would want to. Try it and see the amount of coverage you get just with the minerals. You’ll be amazed! Guess why we called it Amazing Base?!What cleanser should I use?
Your favorite. The minerals can be removed with any cleanser. They won’t, however, come off with plain water.Do men use the Iredale Cosmetics?
Yes. Because the minerals are undetectable, they feel very comfortable wearing them. In fact, newscasters are now using the powders on high definition television because their old makeup was obvious to the television cameras.