Mineral cosmetics are made from finely powdered substances found in the earth. These minerals are considered harmless because they are naturally inert, which means they are not chemically reactive. Because they are natural, they also offer benefits to the skin. Their natural composition, along with the fact that they are barely visible on the skin, have earned them the alternate name "naked minerals."

Mineral cosmetics are beneficial in many ways. They are very well suited to sensitive skin types as they are non-comedogenic. They allow the skin to breathe and remain clean by not clogging the pores as mineral makeup powder is extemely fine. Furthermore, since minerals are inert and inorganic, they do not experience bacterial growth. All of these things are beneficial to skin and may help to prevent many skin conditions.

Compared to regular cosmetics, mineral makeup has a lighter, finer texture. Mineral makeup creates a very thin layer of microscopic flat crystals, which act like a filter and create a natural look. The thin application prevents the makeup from smearing easily and helps it look good much longer. The term "naked minerals" is also used for this type of makeup because of its translucence.

These cosmetics do not need added preservatives to increase their shelf life due to their natural and inert composition. Therefore they are free of preservatives such as fillers, dyes, oils, and parabens which could be harmful. The primary ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, both good sunscreen agents, giving the cosmetics a high SPF rating. For this reason, mineral makeup helps protect the skin from cancer. The makeup also contains mica, which gives the skin a softer and smoother appearance by covering up fine lines and wrinkles.

The zinc oxide also has anti-inflammatory properties, which make these cosmetics the ideal choice for applying makeup when there is a skin condition present. The makeup itself promotes healing of the skin condition. Moreover, the natural elements like clay, act to refresh and rejuvenate tired skin.

Styling gurus consider naked minerals to be the best thing to have happened in cosmetics. Dermatologists recommend it because of the natural composition. Using mineral powder makeup is definitely better than the regular cosmetics, which contain so many harsh chemical compounds.