Eyeshadow safety has been somewhat of a hot topic lately. I would assume that when you’re out shopping for new eyeshadow, you’re most likely choosing one based on the variety of the color palette or how lustrous it looks. You make your purchase, take your new product home, and can’t wait to try out that new eyeshadow tutorial you saw on YouTube. But have you ever stopped to consider what your eyeshadow is made of? What ingredients make up that beautiful color and shimmer?
Eyeshadow is a standard part of many women’s makeup routine. It can help boost your confidence or be a creative outlet as you create eye-catching looks. Unfortunately, there is a dark side to eyeshadow, and no, I’m not referring to a smoky eye.
Due to clever marketing a labeling techniques, beauty brands have been adding non-FDA approved colorants to eyeshadow palettes. Unapproved colorants are just one of the scary ingredients found in eyeshadows today. Harmful ingredients found in many eyeshadows today can cause a variety of problems for both your eyes and your skin, such as itchy eyes, bloodshot eyes or flakey skin. But don’t toss out your dreams of having beautiful shimmery eye lids just yet. Keep reading to learn which eyeshadow ingredients you should absolutely steer clear of and cleaner options to consider.
What ingredients should you look out for?
Parabens
You should avoid parabens in all of your skincare and haircare products, and this is especially true for your eyeshadow. When parabens stay suspended around the pores in your eyes, this can cause hormonal issues. Always check the ingredients on your product’s label, and look out for methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.
Aluminum Powder
The eyeshadow pigment is often the key factor when considering adding it to your collection. Many eyeshadows get their pigmentation from aluminum powder, which can be absorbed into your bloodstream through the pores on your eyelids. Aluminum impedes the body’s ability to detox mercury, increasing the level of toxicity in your body. Throw out eyeshadow that contains aluminum powder and avoid it next time you take a trip down the beauty aisle.
Thimerosal
Thimerosal is a mercury-based perservative, and banned from most makeup with the exception of eye makeup. It is usually added to products for its antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. There has even been research conducted that shows thimerosal might impede proper brain function. Um… no thank you.
Mercury
Heavy metals accumulate in your body, so you want to avoid exposure to Mercury. This neurotoxin is actually a common ingredient in conventional eyeshadow products. Consistent exposure to mercury is linked to adverse health effects.
Carbon Black
Carbon black is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. It can cause toxicity in your organs and is linked to cancer. Don’t purchase or use eyeshadows that contains carbon black! You should also check your mascaras and eyeliners because carbon black is frequently included in these cosmetics as well. Carbon black may hide under other names like thermal black, channel black, lamp black, furnace black, and D & C black No.2.
What ingredients are safe for eyeshadow?
At this point, you are probably wondering which ingredients you can have in your eyeshadows. The following ingredients are safe to use on the sensitive skin near your eyes.
- Mica is non-toxic and should only be avoided if you have hypersensitive skin.
- Iron oxides are safe to use as a colorant for your eyeshadows without damaging your skin.
- Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are minerals often used in sunscreen. They do not sink into your skin, so they are safe to use.
It’s also important to be aware that even if a brand advertises that their eyeshadows are made from minerals, they can still contain toxic ingredients. That’s why it’s important to check the label of each product carefully before checking out at the beauty counter. If you have never heard of an ingredient before, run a quick Google search before buying the eyeshadow.
The easiest way I’ve found to make sure that my eyeshadows (and cosmetics in general) are safe is to find effective brands with reputations I trust. I used to love my Naked eyeshadow palettes, but once I swapped to a safer alternative I never looked back. Nowadays, I purchase all of my eyeshadow from Beautycounter. Beautycounter is committed strict standards, absolute transparency and safer ingredients in their products. Their eyeshadows are beautifully pigmented and they have an array of striking shades and they actually stay put on your eyelids all day! Here are some of my favorites:
Conclusion
If eyeshadow is an essential part of your makeup routine, it is important to ensure your products are safe. Many eyeshadows today contain dangerous ingredients, and this includes even the high-end products with steep price tags. Next time you browse for eyeshadow, be sure to check the labels carefully. This could be a great time to go through your makeup stash and get rid of any dangerous eyeshadows or palettes.
Do you use safer eyeshadow products? What has your experience been reading labels and shopping for clean alternatives? I’d love to have a discussion in the comments!
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