Bismuth Oxychloride Finally Explained

Bismuth Oxychloride is quite controversial. Most people don't understand what it is or what it does in makeup.
There are two "camps" of mineral foundation manufacturers...
1. Those that include it for its seemingly creamy, shimmery feel
and
2. Those who don't include it NO MATTER WHAT, due to its reputation as an itchy, irritating ingredient.
So what IS this ingredient:
This is an element (number 83 on the periodic table), with the symbol: Bi. It is a form of metal.
Chemically, it resembles arsenic and antimony. It has a very high shine, thus giving mineral makeup a shimmery effect.
Companies that choose to use it in their makeup do so because it is cheap, makes a great filler, and by refracting light, gives the appearance of fewer fine lines and imperfections.
It also has the ability to cling well to your skin, thus giving great adhesion of the mineral makeup. The buffing method was developed to help buff this ingredient INTO your pores, creating the adhesion effect.
The main downfall of it is that many women itch when sweating, while wearing this ingredient. If you find this is the case, you might wish to switch to a brand of mineral makeup that doesn't include it.
I personally prefer to NOT use this ingredient at all. It really does make my skin itch and many find it is quite irritating on sensitive skin.
The sheen and light-reflective properties can be easily duplicated by a softly-glowing mica.
Try various samples from companies to determine the sheen of the powder.
Mineral makeup ranges from matte to super shiny, so there is something available for every desire...