Why does the ingredient bismuth oxychloride show up in so many mineral
powder make-up lines?

Hello Skincare911-ga

Bismuth Oxychloride is used in mineral makeup because it gives a shine
to the make-up.

?Bismuth oxychloride is of great interest as a pearlescent pigment
because it provides excellent whiteness, brightness and smooth
texture.?
http://www.pcimag.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,1846,25117,00.html

?Using Bismuth Oxychloride in mineral makeup can also give an overly
shimmery look to mineral foundations and finishing powders.?
http://www.sheermiracle.com/

Some mineral makeup reviewers and companies say not to buy mineral
makeup with Bismuth Oxychloride because it can accentuate pores and
cause break-outs on sensitive, acne prone, and/or skin with roseacea.

http://www.sensiblesoftware.com/articles/a/Why-use-Mineral-Make-up-without-Bismuth-Oxychloride.html
http://www.sheermiracle.com/mineral-makeup/pages.php?pageid=6 

2 more brands (other than sheer miracle: linked above) come with out
Bismuth Oxychloride which are "Belle Saison", at www.4skinbeauty.com
and "Mineral Secrets", at www.mineralsecrets.com.

Google Search Used:
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=bismuth%20oxychloride%20in%20makeup&btnG=Google+Search

If this answer requires further explanation, please request
clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this
further.

Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher

Several websites say that bismuth oxychloride is used because it gives
a pearly or shimmery appearance to the face powder.

://www.google.com/search?biw=772&hl=en&q=cosmetic+%22bismuth+oxychloride%22+pearl+OR+pearly+OR+pearlescent+OR+pearlescence

I do not know if the list of mineral make-ups without bismuth
oxychloride is meant to be exhaustive, but there is another company
that carries mineral make-up without bismuth oxychloride, talc, or
parabens.  It is currently titled Grace Fibro Smile, but will soon be
changing the name to Grace Advantage.  The website is
www.myfibrosmile.com/kacey.

I use a mineral makup called LaurEss...it also does NOT contain
bismuth oxychloride..Plus, there are a lot of different shades of
foundation...I found the right one and don't have to mix 2 powders
together.

www.laurEss.com