Mascaras: Spilling Out The Little Secrets You Might Not Know
If there were a poll to determine the most popular cosmetic product, mascara would certainly come out on top every time. It has become a must-have product for achieving looks ranging from natural to elegant to gothic and everything in between. While there are several reasons individuals wear it daily, there are some possible downsides to consider.
In this post, you will discover the dirty little secrets that the cosmetic industry does not want you to know. Read on to explore physical hazards, the long-term and short-term effects of using mascaras, and how you can protect your precious eyes and eyelashes from further damage.
Are mascaras good for your eyelashes?
This cosmetic product has a rich history that dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. Mascara, which used to appear like a pressed cake, is now supplied in a lotion mix with an applicator wand within a resealable container. If you are careless of its application, it can lead to serious eye infection, stye, stiffness of your lashes, etc.
Why are the mascaras gaining popularity?
Mascara offers several beauty advantages. It quickly adds thickness, length, and deeper color to the lashes, drawing attention to and defining the eyes. Though there are many beneficial aspects, short-term and long-term usage of mascara can cause certain health care concerns.
Side-effects of using mascara for a short period:
Mascara is just a pigment that coats natural lashes. This intensifies the color and helps them stand out more. However, doing so daily might lead to several issues, including:
Infections: Even the costlier mascara brands on the market have a shelf life. Unfortunately, many individuals continue to use them after their expiration date. According to a Women's Health article on cosmetic germs, 86 percent of women used mascara for more than the recommended three months. Pink eye, staph infections, and inflammatory diseases might result from this. To avoid these infections, keep track of when you start using your mascara and discard it accordingly.
Stiff lashes: You've undoubtedly heard a million times that take your makeup off before going to bed. While it may not appear necessary to remove mascara before going to bed, it is. Keeping it on overnight might cause your lashes to get stiff. This is a concern since it can cause lash loss and, in certain circumstances, damaged corneas. Ensure that you have makeup wipes handy and that you always sleep barefaced.
Dryness: Waterproof mascara causes dryness of eyelids. As a result, they are great for the hot summer months or when the weather is harsh. While this is fantastic for special occasions, it should not be worn regularly. The compounds used to make a product waterproof are drying. This frequently results in problems like falling out, breaking, or other complications of the eyelashes.
Stye: Keeping your mascara out in the open, leaving the product on your lashes for too long, wearing mascara past its expiration date, or even sharing it with your gal pals can cause germs to spread; to your lashes and lids, resulting in an eye illness known as stye (a red, painful lump usually occurring on the edge of the eyelid)!
Damage to the inner eye: Aside from the apparent risk of damaging your cornea while applying mascara, if you accidentally stab yourself with the brush, mascara can damage your vision. We're not saying it, but according to research published by the Journal of Applied Microbiology, the toxic compounds present in the mascara are to blame for the loss of vision of the women who accidentally hurt their eyes during its application.
Pro-tip: Avoid liquid lash extension mascaras if you have sensitive eyes. Personally, I have had issues with its application because despite looking great on the lashes, they end up on the eyes in some time. Having sensitive eyes makes choosing the appropriate mascara really hard; therefore, it’s best to take a mascara test before you can jump in and buy one. Continue reading for the “lash lasting products” section of the article for products that worked wonders for me.
Damage to the precious lashes: According to studies performed at the College of Optometrists in the United Kingdom, what you use to enhance and volumize your lashes might cause you to lose even the little you have. While chemicals can damage the roots of your lashes and cause them to fall, lash loss can also be related to the time-consuming procedure of removing tenacious mascara, particularly waterproof mascara.
Side-effects of using mascara for a longer period:
Most individuals use mascara to thicken and fill up their lashes. However, using it for a prolonged period may cause eyelashes to become brittle in texture. According to research published by the International Journal of Trichology, eyelash loss occurred in 19% of respondents, with prolonged usage increasing the chance of poor lash texture. Researchers feel there is a clear link between long-term use and lash fallout due to the findings.
Brittle Lashes: Unfortunately, many long-term mascara users experience breakage and lash damage. This is a typical issue if you use an eyelash curler daily. People who curl their lashes once or more a day are likelier to have a lash loss or a brittle texture. Remember that healthy eyelashes require time away from tools and cosmetics.
Aging: Improper removal causes premature signs of aging. Nobody wants to appear older than they are. However, many women develop wrinkles and sagging skin by inadequately removing their mascara and eye makeup. Pulling, tugging, or rubbing your skin too hard can make the sensitive skin around your eyes seem older, induce puffiness, and damage blood vessels. Always be delicate when removing the final vestiges of your mascara.
Additives to watch out for when buying a mascara
Many hazardous ingredients, such as turpentine, lead-containing kohl, and aniline, are found in mascaras and can cause blindness. They now commonly include a carbon black pigment, a polymer, a preservative, and a thickening wax. When selecting a product for your cosmetic collection, there are several components you should avoid. They are as follows:
Glycol Propylene Petroleum-based formulations, such as Propylene Glycol, should be avoided. They might cause an allergic response and impede the growth of your eyelashes. To avoid these problems, look for hypoallergenic labeling or mascaras that contain lash conditioners.
Retinol Acetate. This component, commonly known as Vitamin A Acetate, is potentially hazardous. According to Fox News, it produces biochemical and cellular changes related to significant difficulties such as gene mutation, cancer, and reproductive damage. This component is illegal in Canadian cosmetics but legal in the United States.
Parabens. These are frequently used in mascaras to prevent the formation of microorganisms. Although it sounds like a fantastic marketing pitch, the ingredient can be hazardous. High paraben concentrations have been connected to breast tumors. While further study is needed to understand this connection properly, it may be a good idea to look for paraben-free mascaras, such as the Physician's Formula Organic Wear 100 percent Natural Origin Mascara (about $10).
Researchers discovered staph germs in 79 percent of the mascara samples examined in a study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science—all owing to the mascara wand transferring our everyday eye secretions into that dark, murky mascara tube. No prizes for guessing that this makes it an ideal breeding habitat for germs.
Powdered aluminum. This chemical, used to give color to mascara, has been proven to interfere with nervous system activities and has even been connected to Alzheimer's disease. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and its skin-deep Cosmetics database have also identified it as a significant concern.
We recommend you conduct a preliminary scan of the ingredients when purchasing a mascara. Look for comprehensive ingredient lists online, read reviews, or buy a natural product instead. Several natural and organic mascaras are free of synthetic ingredients and pose no threat to your health while still maintaining your beauty.
How to Maintain Healthy and Strong Lashes
Aside from avoiding specific components, there are application and removal strategies to maintain your lashes and make them look their best. Some of the most significant are:
Remove your makeup carefully. Sleeping with makeup on may lead to various problems, including eye discomfort, infection, wrinkles, and breakouts. Products may be removed without causing undue damage. Clean mascaras often and never share them with others to keep them germ-free.
Keep your lashes hydrated to avoid dryness. To maintain healthy eyelashes, keep them moisturized with Vaseline (taking caution not to get any in your eyes), olive oil, or a face moisturizer. It will also reduce their breakage and prevent them from falling out.
Avoid curling your lashes after applying mascara. Using an eyelash curler after applying a product is the best way to end up with damaged or stubby lashes. This can make them stiff and brittle, causing the lashes to snap off when curled.
Make an informed beauty decision. When it comes to makeup removal, you should ideally use a soft, hypoallergenic product to remove your mascara without creating inflammation. Clinique's “Take The Day Off Makeup Remover” (around $19) works great because it is non-irritating.
Lash Boosting Products That Work
If you want luscious eyelashes that look great every day, it's time to switch up your cosmetic regimen. The most excellent technique to boost your eyes is to use conditioners and serums carefully. We recommend the following products:
L'Oreal Double Extend Lash Extension Effect Mascara. Spending a lot of money is unnecessary to get lovely lashes. This L'Oreal drugstore double-ended mascara costs only $10. On one end comes a conditioner that primes and nourishes the hair. The opposite side features a classic mascara that adds length and thickness to your lashes.
Revitalash Cosmetics VLumine. A premium lash boosting serum, on the other hand, increases hydration and fullness, boosts strength, and conditions the lashes. At almost $85 per tube, there's a reason why InStyle (A women’s fashion magazine in the US) dubbed this brand "the Rolls Royce of lash products!" It employs nutrient-rich botanicals such as sugar beet betaine and biotin to heal and strengthen.
Duo Kit of OLAY Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Cream and Lash Serum. Another popular item is from Olay, which includes an eye cream and a lash serum (around $20 for the pair). This set allows you to care for the area surrounding the eyes and the lashes themselves.
Bbrowbar lash oil. There are conditioning oils meant to moisturize eyelashes in addition to growth serums and lash conditioners on the market. This one costs around $30 and has components such as castor oil, olive oil, apricot kernel oil (for conditioning), jojoba oil (for strength), bamboo (for shine), and rosemary (for growth). Because of these natural components, it was named one of InStyle's top eyelash conditioners.
A coat or two of mascara is a quick and easy technique to make your eyes stand out. When you carefully choose the next tube, focus on appropriate removal and add lash-boosting products into your regimen. We bet that you will have healthy and voluminous eyelashes every day.
Conclusion
There is no stone untouched in the big, imperfect world of beauty to beautify a woman's face and improve her features to make her seem as doll-like as possible. The cosmetic industry offers everything from intense-black kajal to enhance the eyes and lip-plumping lipsticks to make lips appear larger to contour sticks for a sculpted face. Most of us don’t even realize the most harmful cosmetic that we are buying, and mascaras are no different. We use them daily to strengthen and volumize our lashes and make our eyes look wide open.
You only have yourself to blame if you continue to carelessly apply mascaras after learning about the health hazards linked with the seemingly innocent product. With the WomenWire.com advice, you can now make informed decisions while purchasing your favorite mascaras, both online and offline. So, go head and flutter those beautiful, voluptuous healthy lashes with the best mascara products in this post.
