Common Ingredients Found in Mascara

Mascaras are typically made of a combination of ingredients that broadly fall under the categories of waxes, oils, pigments, emollients and preservatives. These are some of the most common ingredients found in mascaras:

Beeswax

Beeswax is derived from honeycombs. You will find it in the ingredients list for many mascaras. It works as a thickening and stiffening agent and helps keep the product smooth.

Lanolin

This is another waxy ingredient that's derived from the wool of sheep. Wool-bearing animals produce this to keep their coats dry and protected from the cold. In cosmetics, it's often used as an emollient. Waxes are typically used in mascaras to help them coat individual lashes and thicken them.

Mineral oil

This petrolatum derivative is often used in mascaras to give it a viscous quality. Although there is much debate on the safety of this ingredient, the FDA permits the use of mineral oil as an active ingredient in various products, including ones used in and around the eye area.

Castor oil

The fatty acid oil is derived from the castor oil plant. In mascaras, it works as a thickening agent. It also helps condition and moisturise lashes. You may have heard rumours of its lash-lengthening properties, although there is no solid evidence to back this claim.

Paraffin wax

This soft wax is obtained from petroleum and functions as a moisturising agent in most cosmetics. In mascaras, like most other waxes used, its purpose is mainly to help the colour adhere to the lashes.

Floral waxes

Some mascaras also contain waxes derived from flowers that coat and protect the lashes. Bitter orange blossom wax, rose wax, cassia flower wax and blue lotus wax are some of the floral waxes used in Clarins mascaras.

Carnauba wax

Another wax used in mascara, carnauba wax is extracted from the leaves of the carnauba palm, native to various Brazilian states. As it's plant-derived, it's a vegan alternative to various animal-derived waxes typically used in mascaras.

Iron oxide

It's used as a colouring agent to create black, yellow and red pigments in cosmetics. Black and brown mascaras derive their hue from this ingredient. It can have either natural or synthetic origins. However, the latter is more common in cosmetics. It's considered safer for use as natural-origin iron oxide has a higher chance of being contaminated with impurities.

Carbon black

As its name suggests, carbon black is also a colourant in mascaras. It works as a black pigment.

Nylon, rayon and silk microfibres

They're typically used in mascaras that are called 'fibre mascaras'. They stick to the surface of lashes and add length and volume. These are not recommended for contact lens users as the fibres can irritate the eyes.

Glycerin

It's one of the most popular ingredients found in cosmetics, mainly because of its moisturising properties. When used in mascara, it makes the consistency of the product smooth and also helps it stick to the lashes. It also has hair conditioning properties that could be beneficial.