(Unfortunately this is the only clip I could find of the episode… I will update the video link if I come across the full clip/episdoe.)

I’ve heard about this episode of The Dr. Oz Show before, but I finally got to see it today…  In this “Dangerous Beauty” segment, Dr. Mehmet Oz singled out 3 of the most used beauty products and let us know how “dangerous” they were.

The first thing Dr. Oz picked on pointed out was mineral makeup.  He took a jar of loose powder — supposedly belonged to one of the audience members — and swirled and stirred with a powder brush so violently to create a cloud of mineral powder dust and mess.  The point?  He was trying to illustrated (dramatically) how dangerous (loose) mineral makeup could be.  His argument was that the nanoparticles of mineral makeup could be breathed into your lung and cause all kinds of problems and lung diseases (such as fibrosis).

While I apprecaite the good Dr.’s effort and intention of showing us the danger of bad cosmetics (say, mercury-tainted skin creams or lead-based foundation called ceruse), I found this particular section of the segment to be misleading and misinforming.

Who applies (mineral) makeup like that?

If someone had shown Dr. Oz how to apply mineral makeup (MMU) before hand, either 1) Dr. Oz is a makeup-idoit and can’t learn how to do it right; or 2) that person should be fired because he/she was in no position to show anyone how to apply mineral makeup.  Even MMU novice knows not to stir and swirl the powder as if you were beating an egg.  You dip your brush into the powder, tap/swirl gently (in the jar lid) to distribute the powder evenly onto brush then apply to face.

And I always suggest applying a little pressure to press the powder onto skin while brushing the makeup on.  That way the powder is not going everywhere (and being wasted) and you’re getting higher coverage (because you get more powder onto your skin).

Presumptuous, isn’t he?

While there are a lot of mineral makeup companies use nanoparticles, Dr. Oz assumed ALL mineral makeup products contain nanoparticles.  That’s rather incorrect presumption.  I know a lot of mineral makeup companies, especially indie brands like Beauté Minéral, do not use nanoparticles in their products.

Dr. Oz and guest Dr. Arthur Perry also associated the lung problems loose mineral makeup could cause you to the occupassional lung diseases of miners and construction workers.  They were assuming you would be applying the mineral powder 8+ hours a day, in the way Dr. demonstrated, living a cloud of mineral powder dust.  Oh wait, you are NOT applying the makeup 8 hours a day or living in a cloud of makeup dust.  And you are certainly NOT swirling the powder, fluffing and puffing like Dr. Oz did.  So the amout of powder you would breathe in is a lot less than, say, a coal miner.

Also note that Dr. Perry said there had not been any record of lung problems or diseases brough on by mineral makeup.  Here are the quotes from Dr. Perry and his coversation with Dr. Oz:

Dr. Perry: “I have to tell you, there are no cases at this point of people getting sick.”

“In minorerss — miners and construction workers, it takes 10 to 30 years to see the damage…”

Dr. Oz: “The real question is will we see the damage in women in 10 or 30 years?”

Dr. Perry: “I don’t know the answer.”

What about the junks that are in liquid foundation and pressed powder?

At the end of the mineral powder segment, Dr. Oz recommed we all should stop using loose mineral makeup and should switch to liquid foundation and pressed powder.  He then gave the totally dazed and confused audience member to whom that jar of loose powder belonged a (Cover Girl) liquid foundation and pressed powder.  Talk about bad for your skin!  The preservatives!  The chemicals!  The irritations!

The interesting thing is, Dr. Oz also talked about petroleum jelly/petrolatum in lip glosses and how bad they were for you.  Yet, I find mineral oil (which is related to petroleum jelly) in at least one liquid foundation and one pressed powder…

Why? Oh Why?

I understand loose powder form mineral makeup is not perfect.  It is a bit more messy; and it’s not as convenient as pressed form makeup.  However, it can be purer and less irriating (depending on the brands), which was one of the things Dr. Oz found desirable during the part about dangerous wrinkle treatments.  I’m just quite appalled by Dr. Oz’s scare tactics and sensationalism.  I’m really not sure what prompted Dr. Oz to single out mineral makeup as dangerous when there are far more troublesome products out there (such as lash growth enhancers or super long lasting lipsticks) … Is he an arguist who wants to argue against what’s popular?  Was he paid by certain cosmetics companies to defame mineral makeup?  Who knows…

The bottom line is…

Remember, not all mineral makeup are created equal.  Some use better/safer ingredients than other; some have nanoparticles and some don’t.  When shopping for mineral makeup (or any cosmetics product for that matter), it is always a good practice to read the ingredient labels before you buy.  And most importantly, be informed.  Do your own research if you can.

Also check this out:

http://www.empowher.com/skin-hair-nails/content/mineral-makeup-dangerous-long-term-health

Show transcript provided by:

http://www.livedash.com/transcript/the_dr._oz_show/2/KTVU/Wednesday_June_2_2010/225890/