What Are the Ingredients in Eyeshadow?

Eye shadow is a cosmetic product used to enhance the appearance of one’s eyes. It comes in different colors and textures used to create a range of looks.

Eyeshadows typically consist of different ingredients including zinc oxides, titanium dioxide, and mica. Finishes can include eyeshadow shine, cream eyeshadows, and more.

Surprisingly, eyeshadow has been used since ancient civilizations. The earliest direct archeological evidence shows that traces of eye paint have been found in graves from as early as 4000 BCE. Later on, women would dust rice powder to conceal freckles and other imperfections on their skin. Eyeshadow has however evolved from simple paints and burnt matches to more sophisticated eyeshadow products.

Color Pigments Used in Making Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow color pigments play an important role as they’re responsible for achieving the desired color and finish. Below, we’ll go over the various color pigments used to make eyeshadow.

Common Eyeshadow Colorants

1. Iron oxides: This is one of the most commonly used color additives in eyeshadow. It has a range of colors including black, brown, yellow, and red.
2. Titanium dioxide: It is an eye shadow ingredient that is a naturally occurring mineral. It’s also used in other cosmetic products like sunscreens because of its ability to block UV rays.
3. Mica powders: They are naturally occurring minerals that have a shimmering effect. They’re either used alone or together with other pigments to create the desired pigment.
4. Manganese violet is known for its high color intensity. This is because it doesn’t dissolve in oil or water. It is used in various cosmetics including eyeshadow, hair, bath, and other products.
5. Synthetic fluorphlogopite: It’s a synthetic mineral used to bring out a metallic finish on eyeshadow.
6. Chromium oxide greens: This synthetic pigment is used to create the green shade on eyeshadow.

Which Binders Are Best?

These are eye shadow powders that help to hold pigments and other ingredients together and also form part of cream eye shadows. You can get them as either dry or liquid binders. Liquid binders can include paraffin wax, vegetable oils, and silicone. They create a cohesive texture that helps eye shadow adhere to the skin smoothly. Here is a list of binders you can use to create eyeshadow.

Magnesium Stearate

This is among the most common binding ingredients in shadow as it lasts long on your skin, improves adhesion, and provides improved texture.

Silica

Silica is a lightweight mineral ingredient used in making eyeshadows. It creates a smooth and silky texture giving eye shadow shine and luster and has oil-absorbing properties.

Talc

This natural and inexpensive mineral improves the blend and texture of eyeshadow. It’s also great at absorbing excess oil.

Dimethicone Boron Nitride

Dimethicone is a silicone-based polymer that creates a creamy and smooth texture. It’s ideal for sensitive or dry skin, is waterproof, and is long-lasting.

Polyethylene Terephthalate

This is another synthetic polymer used to create a smooth and creamy texture while improving the adherence of eyeshadow to the skin.

Why You Need Fillers

Fillers are inert ingredients that create lubricity and texture in any finished product. Fillers also promote healing and reduce skin irritation. There are various types of fillers each with its unique properties. Among the properties include the ability to absorb excess oil improve the pigment, and coverage, and reduce the shine.

Below are some of the most commonly used fillers by cosmetic companies.

Kaolin Clay

This is considered to be among the gentlest of facial clays. It’s a natural cleanser that soothes your skin and evens out your skin tone.

Calcium Sodium Borosilicate

These are small shiny components consisting of silica particles that bring out the desired color when mixed with different oxides. It’s also a good thickening agent that helps to achieve the right consistency.

Mica

Mica powders though used to add color pigments can also be used as fillers when making eyeshadow. You can use it together with other compounds to create different effects and textures on eyeshadow.

Consider Adding Preservatives

Preservatives are essential components in eyeshadow that prevent harmful microorganisms from growing. These include fungi, bacteria, and other pathogens that cause irritations and infections on the skin.

Among the different preservatives used in eyeshadow include parabens which are effective against molds, yeast, and bacteria. Parabens can be used in various formulations as they remain stable at a range of PH levels.

Formaldehyde releasers are also used as preservatives as they help products stay bacteria free. They include DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15 which prevent the growth of microorganisms in cosmetic products.

Benzyl alcohol is another natural preservative got from benzoin resin and is used in most cosmetics. It has a pleasant mild scent and is effective on fungi and bacteria.

Other Ingredients

Other components used in eyeshadow include emollients like mineral oil, jojoba oil, and silicone oils. Emollients slow evaporation thereby softening the skin.

Emollients usually come from oils, triglycerides, and animal fats. Lanolin is a common emollient derived from animal fats and is considered safe for use.

Manufacturers also use anticaking agents like silica, talc, and magnesium stearate. Anticaking agents help eyeshadow to apply evenly and smoothly on the skin while preventing eyeshadow from sticking or clumping together.

Safety Considerations

Whether you’re a manufacturer or making homemade eyeshadow you must take precautions to ensure it’s safe. Among the precautions to take include ingredient selection.

Eyeshadow ingredients selection affects the safety, quality, and performance of the eyeshadow products. A bad selection of ingredients like preservatives and fragrances can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Some ingredients, if not well formulated can penetrate the skin and potentially cause harm. Further, some ingredients get contaminated with mold, bacteria, and other substances.

You must also ensure that the ingredients used don’t affect the environment. This can be done by going for sustainably sourced components or biodegradable ingredients.

Precautions To Consider When Making Eyeshadow

1. Clean your work area and tools with soap and water and disinfect them with rubbing alcohol.
2. Use recipes from reputable sources and avoid modifying the recipe by substituting ingredients unless you’re an expert.
3. Ensure your products are well labeled indicating the ingredients used, and the production date.
4. Do a patch test on a small area of the skin to check for any irritations or allergic reactions.

Ensure that your eyeshadow products are regulated by the relevant authorities to ensure that they’re safe for use. Avoid using ingredients with traces of heavy metals like aluminum powder as they can be harmful to the skin.

Conclusion

There’s a range of components used in making eyeshadow. Natural eye shadow can range from a pinkish tone to even a silver look. The application of eyeshadow can be done using different brushes, sponges, or fingers. Ensure to use recipes from reputable sources to avoid skin irritation and other harmful effects. You must also adhere to the set regulatory rules to avoid issues with government agencies.