6 Common Mascara Ingredients That Might Be Dangerous For Your Health

Mascara is a beauty essential - it's used every day by makeup artists and beauty lovers alike to open up the eyes and give those lashes a fluttery, flirty look.

Millions of people use mascara every day, but the issue with mascara is that many brands are made with synthetic dyes, minerals and chemicals that can cause irritation, itching and redness. Some of these chemicals can even be carcinogenic. We all knew that striving for perfection and beauty was a little bit intoxicating, but who knew it could be toxic? 

What Goes Onto Our Bodies Is Just As Important As What Goes Into Our Bodies

We all — hopefully —  think about what we put into our bodies by minding what we eat and what we drink and trying to live a healthy life. We know that if we eat the right foods, we can nourish our skin from the inside out, and if we drink enough water, we can hydrate our skin and flush out toxins.

Some of the most common chemicals and toxins found in hundreds of different branded mascara options are explained in a little more detail below.

Phthalates

Phthalates are a chemical found in literally hundreds of beauty products, including mascara. Phthalates are an anti-androgen chemical, which means that they interfere with hormones in the body. In young girls, studies have shown that exposure to phthalates can cause early puberty and throughout pregnancy, phthalates can even cause birth defects and deformities.

They can also damage the liver, lungs and kidneys whilst also interfering with the reproductive system. If you're pregnant, trying to get pregnant or in puberty, it's definitely a good idea to steer clear of phthalates. That's not to say that your mascara will do scary things to your health, as the quantities are tiny, but over time, it can all add up.

Fragrance

You might not think that fragrance would have a huge effect on the toxicity of a mascara, but it really does. Most beauty products contain fragrance as the smell of chemicals isn't really very pleasant, but hundreds of thousands of different chemicals could be added to mascara in order to give it a distinctive scent.

The Environmental Working Group rates fragrances in mascara at an 8 out of 10, 10 being the most dangerous for your health. Some chemicals used to create certain fragrances have a vast range of side effects, including rashes, mood issues, headaches and hormonal imbalances. If your eyes feel irritated and itchy after using mascara, the fragrance may be why.