MASCARA

(info obtained from Dying to Look Good)

Mascara, especially waterproof mascara, can be very irritating to the eyes. It contains many irritating and toxic chemicals including plastics (PVP/VA Copolymer) and Shellac. Below is a complete ingredient analysis of a popular high end (commercial) mascara and the mascara chosen by BWI. The natural mascara is not irritating and although it washes away with water, is fairly “tear” resistant.

NATURAL MASCARA INGREDIENTS:
Water - Candelilla wax (not toxic) - Organic beeswax (soothes) - Glycerin (moisturizer) - Glyceryl Stearate (moisturizer, not toxic) Aloe Vera (moisturizer, healing properties) - Herbal Extracts (for scent) - Grapefruit seed extract (preservative) - Iron oxide & Mica (natural, for color)

TYPICAL COMMERCIAL MASCARA INGREDIENTS:
Water - Glyceryl stearate (not toxic) - Beeswax (soothes) - Stearic Acid (skin irritant) - Carnauba wax (could be synthetic) - Silica (skin & eye irritant, drying, potentially toxic) - Isostearic acid (eye, skin, mucous membrane irritant) - Shellac (resin secreted from insects, may cause dermatitis, irritant) - Myristic Acid (skin irritant, mutagen) - TEA (eye, skin & mucous membrane irritant, causes contact dermatitis, potentially very toxic causing cancer) - Glyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate (can cause contact dermatitis) - PVP/VA Copolymer )petroleum derived chemical, TOXIC, particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons, may remain in the body for extended time) - Hydrolized keratin (obtained from the hair, hoofs, horns, feathers & quills of various animals) - Lecithin (derived from egg yolks and soybeans) - Xanthan gum (may cause eye & skin irritation, extracted with toxic solvents, contains "approved" levels of lead & arsenic) - Methylparaben (TOXIC preservative found in breast tumors, irritant, endocrine disruptor, potential mutagen) - Parfum (can contain up to 4,000 different chemicals many toxic or carcinogens. Can cause headaches, dizziness, allergic reactions, coughing) - Diazolidinyl Urea (TOXIC- contains formaldehyde, a carcinogenic chemicals, causes contact dermatitis, overexposure can cause allergies, headaches, depression, chest pain, dizziness) - Butylparaben/Ethylparaben/Isobutylparaben/Propylparaben: see Methylparaben (TOXIC preservative) - Tetrasodium EDTA (irritant, can cause skin, eye, respiratory irritation) - Geraniol (may cause irritation) - Citronellol (may be mild irritant) - Cinnayl alcohol (may cause irritation) - Iron oxides/mica (for color) - Titanium Dioxide (may irritate eyes, skin, inhalation of large amounts may cause lung damage) - Carmine (color, may cause hives, linked to heart problems. Derived from crushed insects from South America).

Information obtained from "Dying to Look Good" and "A Consumer’s Dictionary Of Cosmetic Ingredients".