Michelle’s M.A.C. question: I love M.A.C. cosmetics and there’s been a lot of hype about their Charged Waters Renewal Defense. I’ve read that it really helps tone down oiliness. I’m disappointed to say though that it’s main active ingredient, rhodochrosite, seems like a load of crock! I can’t find any information on rhodochrosite being an antioxidant as claimed. I do however see a humectant, an emollient and salicylic acid in the ingredients list. Are these the ingredients leading to the decrease in oiliness reported, and is there anything in Renewal Defense that I couldn’t get using another facial spray and moisturiser?

The Left Brain’s charged reply:
M.A.C. color cosmetics can be terrific, but Charged Waters seems like it’s all wet to me.

What is rhodochrosite?

The alleged miracle ingredient in the product, rhodochrosite, is a type of manganese carbonate, a peachy-rose colored mineral. Its color lead the early Incas to believe the mineral was formed by the blood of former kings and queens that was turned to stone. According to folklore, rhodocrosite can bring you love, help erase psychological problems and improve your eyesight.

What does it really do?

I couldn’t find any mention of rhodochrosite having any function, antioxidant or otherwise, anywhere in the technical literature. The only connection I could find is a bit thin: Rhodochrosite is a form of manganese and manganese is also a component of superoxide dismutase, a powerful natural antioxidant. But that doesn’t mean rhodochroite has the same antioxidant properties. (If you’re interested, you read more about the benefits of manganese.)

What does M.A.C. say?

To be fair, M.A.C.’s website doesn’t exactly say that rhodochrosite is an antioxidant, it just says that the Charged Waters is “packed” with them. Here’s what it is packed with:

Water, butylene glycol, polysorbate 80, rhodochrosite, calcium chloride, sodium sulfate, magnesium chloride, potassium nitrate, potassium phosphate, salicylic acid, fragrance, linalool, citral, limonene, and phenoxyethanol.

There are no oil based ingredients in the product so it won’t make your skin greasy, but I don’t see anything here that would affect sebum production so I’m skeptical that is has an effect on oil control. It looks like a very light weight moisturizer with a touch of salicylic acid.

The Beauty Brains bottom line

If you want to waste your money by spritzing Charged Waters on your face that’s your choice But don’t buy this product because of the magic properties of a mineral that doesn’t do anything.

What do YOU think? Do you have a problem with oily skin? Have you found any solutions what work for you? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.