Mascara is typically made of a combination of oils, waxes, pigments, emollients, and preservatives that create a brands unique combination of ingredients. The most common ingredients found in mascaras include:
- Pigments: Carbon black or iron oxide pigments are used to darken lashes.
- Polymers: These are used to form a film that coats lashes.
- Thickening agents: Waxes or oils such as lanolin, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, castor oil, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax are used to thicken lashes.
- Emollients: These are used to make the consistency of the product smooth and also help it stick to the lashes. Examples include lanolin and mineral oil.
- Preservatives: These are used to prevent clumping, smudging, or layering. Examples include thimerosal.
Its important to note that while mascara is not made of bat poop, some mascaras can still contain animal products such as guanine, shellac, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, and panthenol. Consumers should also be on the lookout for preservatives like thimerosal, which can cause conjunctivitis and eyelid dermatitis.
