Known as “synthetic pearl”, another feature of bismuth oxychloride is that it is refractive. Due to its large, plate-like molecular structure, bismuth oxychloride causes light wave interference. This means the waves of light that hit it interact with each other and shine back even more brightly. These light bending optical properties are what give bismuth oxychloride its pearly sheen. One of the reasons why it is so good at hiding wrinkles, age spots, and other imperfections in the skin.
These qualities of bismuth oxychloride make it ideal for use in many types of makeup. Bismuth in this form is used in lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, foundation, nail polish, and many other cosmetics that have a visible sheen to them. This use of bismuth just goes to show that bismuth is commonly present in our lives, even if we don’t see it.