Q&A

Is the makeup safe for all skin types?
Is it alright to use it on acne-prone skin?
May I use jane iredale with Retin-A?
Is it necessary to wear additional sunscreens when using the minerals?
Does Liquid Minerals have an SPF?
How soon can the makeup be applied after laser, microdermabrasion or peels?
What are the best colors for camouflaging redness?
Is the loose or pressed powder better for post-laser?
Will the minerals cover bruising or birthmarks?
What does a water- and perspiration-proof rating mean?
Does jane iredale work on older or aging skin?
Are the powders drying?
What moisturizer is best used with the powders?
What are the coloring agents in your cosmetics?
Is it OK to put your blush on eyes?
Do the eye shadows crease?
Are the lip and eye pencils interchangeable?
Is the makeup easy to apply?
How long does it take to apply a full makeup?
May I apply it over my regular foundation?
What cleanser should I use?
Do men use Iredale Mineral Cosmetics?

Is the makeup safe for all skin types?
It’s important to know that anyone can be allergic or sensitive to anything. However, we have eliminated the known sensitizers from our makeup. Fragrance, FD&C dyes and synthetic preservatives are the top three sensitizers. Individuals with extreme chemical sensitivities wear our makeup successfully.

Is it alright 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 had many aestheticians report to us that they have seen an improvement in the skins of their clients since they have been using the Iredale cosmetic line.

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May I use jane iredale with Retin-A?
Yes. Iredale can be used with any skin care regimen. The SPF the minerals provide is especially important while using Retin-A or AHA’s.

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 is no need to wait for protection to begin.

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Does Liquid Minerals have an SPF?
No, but it has ingredients such as Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin C that help to repair the cells suffering from UV damage. If you apply a layer of powdered minerals over Liquid Minerals, you are helping to repair and protect the skin. Using Absence underneath Liquid Minerals also provides sun protection.

How soon can the makeup be applied after laser, microdermabrasion or peels?
The minerals can be applied immediately after a microdermabrasion or a light peel. They will not only cover the redness, but the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are known anti-inflammatories that will help to calm the erythema. It is important to replace the stratum corneum that has been lost after these kinds of procedures. The stratum corneum is the body’s first defense against the sun.

Application after laser resurfacing must depend on the physician’s permission, which can be from 5-12 days depending on the laser used and how deeply it was used. It is essential for healing skin to be protected by the sun. Minerals provide this as well as coverage and soothing properties.

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What are the best colors for camouflaging redness?
Definitely not green! Green works fine for artists working on canvas 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 will conceal redness. Our most versatile yellow base is Warm Sienna, and that is our most popular color for camouflaging erythema. Warm Silk, Amber and Golden Glow also work well. You might want to check out our Camouflage Techniques videos in the Brush Up Your Technique section. 

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 powders contain less than the pressed. Our advice on lasered skin is to keep it as simple as possible.

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Will the minerals cover bruising or birthmarks?
Yes. However, the shadow of some dark bruising may show through. Try Disappear, the peach Circle\Delete or Enlighten to camouflage anything that the powders won’t. Please refer to the individual products to learn how to use them. You might also want to refer to our video on concealing bruising in the Brush Up Your Techniques section.

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 can be used 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. Please visit our SPF and FDA page for more information.

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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, after applying the minerals, it is helpful to spritz with our D2O, Balance or POMMISST hydration sprays. This sets the makeup, softens lines and gives a dewy look. The technique of spritzing the sponge first and applying the minerals as a wash also helps to minimize fine lines, wrinkles and large pores. You might want to check out our video on mature makeup techniques, found in the Brush Up Your Techniques section.

Are the powders drying?
No, quite the reverse. Our minerals actually trap moisture between the skin and the crystal layer. The conception that powders are drying comes from the high use of talc in most formulas – up to 90%!

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What moisturizer is best used with the powders?
Your favorite. Just wait for it to be absorbed so that you have a smooth canvas on which to work. If you don’t, the powders will grab unevenly.

What are the coloring agents in your cosmetics?
We color mostly with iron oxides. We use ultramarines (ground Lapis Lazuli, a blue mineral) and chromium oxide greens in our blue and green eye shadows. We use small amounts of carmine in some products when brighter colors are required. Vegans and those practicing Kosher will want to avoid the makeup colors containing carmine. See our Information for Vegans page for more information.

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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 known comedogens. Break-outs in the cheek area could be related to this.

Do the eye shadows crease?
Generally not, although those with oily eyelids (unusual) may want to apply our lid primers, Canvas, Petal and Lemon, that effectively control oil. A layer of PureMatte on the lids first can also be effective.

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

Is the makeup easy to apply?
Yes! 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 not a lot of “pay-off,” they use the same techniques when applying jane iredale. With minerals, less is more. Please refer to the individual products for technique details.

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How long does it take to apply a full makeup?
Ten to fifteen minutes and it will last all day with minimal 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! For maximum coverage, put on a layer of Liquid Minerals and then brush Amazing Base or PurePressed on top.

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What cleanser should I use?
Your favorite. The minerals can be removed with any cleanser. They won’t, however, come off with plain water. Try our Magic Mitt for a squeaky clean face without the need to use a cleanser.

Do men use Iredale Mineral Cosmetics?
Yes. Because the minerals are undetectable, they feel 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. Click here to view our men's line, H\E.


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