What it is
Calcium sulfate is a common inorganic salt that occurs naturally as gypsum and is also produced synthetically. In cosmetics it is used as an inert mineral filler that adds bulk, contributes opacity, and helps control texture and structure. In color and lip products it can act as a carrier or texturizer within the powder or wax phase.
Safety & warnings
Calcium sulfate is an inert mineral generally regarded as well tolerated on skin; as with other fine mineral powders, avoiding inhalation of loose dust during handling is sensible.
Origin & sourcing
Both natural and synthetic; it occurs as the mineral gypsum and is also manufactured for industrial and cosmetic use.
History
Calcium sulfate, as gypsum and plaster, has been used for millennia in construction and molding, long predating its modern use as a cosmetic mineral filler.
Questions everyone asks
Is calcium sulfate the same as gypsum?
Yes, gypsum is the naturally occurring hydrated form of calcium sulfate, and the same compound is also made synthetically for cosmetic and industrial use.
What does calcium sulfate do in a cosmetic?
It acts as an inert mineral filler that adds bulk and opacity and helps control the texture of the formula.