Mascara is one of the most important weapons in a woman’s arsenal of beautifying tools. There are many types of mascara brushes and liquids, and there are dozens of brands that make quality mascara. A good mascara brush is like a good pair of shoes – it’s something you’ll use every day!
But, do you know what kind of chemicals are in your mascara? You might be surprised to find out…
Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof mascara is designed NOT to run, no matter how much you cry or sweat. The whole purpose of this type of mascara is to not interact with water molecules, so the ingredients used to make the mascara are usually non-water solvent.
You can usually find ingredients like:
- Animal-derived waxes, such as beeswax
- Volatile solvents, like isododecane
- Vegetal-based waxes, such as candelila wax
- Mineral-origin wax, such as paraffin
- Pigments made from iron oxide and ultramarine
- Filmifying polymers
Fancy words indeed, but what does this mean?
All of these ingredients are water-resistant, so they will not interact with water when they come in contact with any sort of moisture. They are designed to be removed with a very specific form of make-up remover, which is created to break down the film of the mascara once it has dried.
You’ll find that waterproof mascara is a bit like oil-based paint.
Non-Waterproof Mascara
Regular mascara isn’t designed to be waterproof, and it will usually run when you cry or sweat. The ingredients used in this mascara include:
- Beeswax
- Candelila wax, Carnauba wax, and Rice Bran Wax
- Soft surfectants, such as triethanolamine stereate
- Paraffin
- Iron oxide and ultramarine pigments
- Thickening polymers, such as gum arabic and modified cellulose
- Preservatives
These mascaras are easily removed with nothing more than water, and they act sort of like water-based paint.
Chemicals in Your Mascara
The whole purpose of mascara is to be easily applied to your face without any negative interactions. You’ll find that most mascaras are fairly safe for your use, and there is a very low risk of any side effects when using the products.
That doesn’t mean that they are chemical-free or perfectly safe, however. Many mascaras contain chemicals with fancy names like ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben. These three forms of parabens have been known to cause skin rashes and other allergic reactions, and even problems like contact dermatitis.
Parabens resemble the estrogen produced naturally by the human body, so they are easily able to penetrate the skin and get into the body. This is why these parabens are known as endocrine disruptors, as they are absorbed into the bloodstream, mingle with the body’s natural hormones, and throw off the very delicate balance of hormones.
In addition to parabens, you’ll find that most types of mascara contain synthetic colors of some sort. They will usually be found on the label under the name FD&C or D&C, and they are often followed by a color and a numeral (FD&C Red 6 or D&C Green 10, etc.). It is believed that these chemical colorings can cause cancer, so they can be dangerous.
Polybutene is another ingredient added to mascara products, usually to make it stick to your eyes and thicken the mascara liquid. This chemical comes from petroleum, and it is actually used to make glue. Think about applying commercial glue to your face next time you put on your mascara.
The good news is that there are healthy mascaras out there – it may take some work to find them, though. Not all mascara products contain chemicals, and you will find that most of them will not cause negative reactions in your body. Just avoid the chemicals listed above, and you should be safe!
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