Mineral foundation - make-up often advertised as being a natural alternative to other applications - contains many of the same chemicals as liquid and powder options, consumer group Choice says.

Choice tested 14 mineral foundations and found 10 contained bismuth oxychloride, which is a by-product of lead, tin and copper refining.

There were 21 cases of skin irritation and 11 cases of eye irritation during the trial, its report says.

"Mineral foundations are enjoying their 15 minutes of fame right now - despite having been around since the 1970s - and are marketed as being better for the skin than regular foundations," Choice spokeswoman Elise Davidson said in a statement on Thursday.

"But really, they're just an alternative to liquid or powder foundation, with most of the mineral foundations containing the same sort of ingredients as any other make-up base.