Is titanium dioxide natural?

Titanium dioxide is mined and purified before it can be used as a cosmetic pigment. In fact, all minerals are purified before they can be used medicinally (for example, in mineral tablets from the health food store) or as cosmetics. Indeed, virtually all cosmetic ‘chemicals’ are refined in some way - essential oils are extracted from plants, plant oils are pressed or extracted with solvents, and purified in various ways, soaps are catalyzed with lye, and almost everything is preserved one way or another.

Mineral pigments, including titanium dioxide, are very highly regulated by the FDA, and must adhere to strict standards for purity, particle size, etc. Frankly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

The term ‘natural’ is bandied about in the cosmetics world quite a bit these days. Cosmetic grade mineral pigments are generally considered to be natural because they are purified, natural substances. One industry standard bearer, BDIH, has a comprehensive list of guidelines they use to certify natural cosmetics, and you can read about them here.

What is not natural are the many polysyllabic synthetic chemicals that populate the long ingredients lists of most conventional cosmetics, and even many claiming to be natural. You can find some of the worst offenders here.

Alima Pure worked hard for our BDIH natural cosmetics certification, and we’re proud to carry the symbol of assurance that our ingredient deck has been carefully audited, and falls within meaningful guidelines.

If you have any questions, please ask us. We love hearing from you.