Mascara is a cosmetic product used to thicken, lengthen, color, and curl eyelashes. It is made up of several ingredients, including:
Positive:
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Pigments: These are used to darken the lashes and are typically carbon black or iron oxide. Other pigments like ultramarines, titanium dioxide, carmine, chromium oxide greens, chromium hydroxide green, manganese violet, ferric ferrocyanide, and D&C Black No2 (carbon black) are also added to the water phase with a dispersing agent prior to emulsification.
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Film formers: These are used to help the mascara adhere to the lashes and include ingredients like Lecithin, Sodium Polymethacrylate, and Sodium Polyacrylate.
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Lash lengthening/volume building fibers: These are used to add volume and length to the lashes and include Nylon 6 and Rayon.
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Preservatives: These are added to keep the mascara fresh and free from bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
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Emollients: These are added to waterproof mascara to help it adhere to the lashes and include ingredients like isododecane.
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Waxes: These are added to waterproof mascara to help it adhere to the lashes and include ingredients like beeswax or candelilla wax.
Negative:
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Parabens: These are harmful preservatives that are often found in mascara and can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
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Formaldehyde: This is a known carcinogen that is often used as a preservative in mascara.
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Imidazolidinyl Urea: This is a releaser of formaldehyde and is often used as a preservative in mascara.
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Thimerosal: This is a mercury-based element that is often used as a preservative in mascara and can be toxic to the developing brain during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood.
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Retinyl Acetate: This is a known reproductive toxicant that is often used as a conditioning ingredient in mascara.
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Propylene glycol: This is a toxic and known allergen that is often used as a conditioning ingredient in mascara.
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Synthetic Fragrances: These can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
It is important to note that mascara ingredients are much safer than they used to be, and the safety of using mascara has improved greatly since the 1930s when the ingredients used to darken lashes were turpentine, kohl, and aniline.
