What's the Deal with Bismuth Oxychloride?

There is so much hype surrounding mineral makeup and many think that it's just a fad or a trend. I'm definitely here to tell you this concept is not going anywhere. This is by far the best makeup you can put on your skin, but beware, not all mineral makeup is created equally. With allergies on the rise and cancer soaring to epic proportions, as in, 1 out of 3 will be diagnosed in a lifetime, it's no wonder we are so confused at the beauty counter.
My personal standard is, if I can't pronounce an ingredient it, it doesn't belong on my skin. Our skin is the largest organ we have, acting like a big sponge. Everything we put on it will penetrate down to the cellular level and can interfere with cell reproduction.
As a makeup artist and skin care guru I get asked on a weekly basis, "what the heck is bismuth oxychloride and why is it bad for me?"
What we know is bismuth is a beautiful filler and helps to give mineral foundation a smooth and creamy texture. Sounds great, right? There is no evidence to suggest this ingredient can cause cancer or other health related illnesses. However, for anyone with sensitive skin, allergies, or acne I would use products containing bismuth with extreme caution. What we also know about bismuth is that it's an irritant, causing itchiness, redness, and overall irritation to many. There is also a direct link between bismuth and acne, specifically cystic acne.
As I mentioned, bismuth is a filler, and a very beautiful one at that. This ingredient is what is making your mineral foundation so sparkly and shiny. This too, is not necessarily a bad thing, if you are under the age of 30 that is. Otherwise, you look as lit up as a Christmas tree, and for most of us, that's not a good thing. (Think huge enlarged pores!)
So, there are the facts about bismuth oxychloride. If you are a young gal (or guy) who doesn't have trouble with acne, rosacea, or sensitive skin you probably have nothing to worry about. Otherwise, I suggest you pick a mineral makeup company who chooses not to use this ingredient. Be educated, read labels, ask questions!