Bismuth in Beauty, It’s Everywhere

One of the most common uses of bismuth is as a pigment in cosmetics. Though bismuth is considered a heavy metal, it is incredibly non-toxic, and is even used in some medicines such as Pepto-Bismol. Bismuth has been used in makeup since ancient Egypt, but today it is most commonly used in a compound called bismuth oxychloride. Bismuth oxychloride forms a white, pearlescent pigment and is used to add an iridescent glimmer to mineral makeups. Bismuth oxychloride also adheres very well to the skin and gives skin a soft, silky feel.

Known as “synthetic pearl”, another feature of bismuth oxychloride is that it is refractive. Due to its large, plate-like molecular structure, bismuth oxychloride causes light wave interference. This means the waves of light that hit it interact with each other and shine back even more brightly. These light bending optical properties are what give bismuth oxychloride its pearly sheen and why it is so good at hiding wrinkles, age spots, and other imperfections in the skin.