What is "ALUMINA" and what does it do?

Role: MATTIFYING/ABSORBENT

Family:

Comedogenic index: 0

Alumina is another name for the compound known as aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent and abrasive.

As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nanometric filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin longer. By coating smaller ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product. This ingredient also allows pigments to be evenly dispersed throughout the formula, and to spread easily and evenly on application. This is extremely useful for both mineral sunscreens and make-up products.

Alumina occurs naturally in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum give rise to rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.

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