Kill Lash Superproof Mascara (Long Curling)

The base most products are built on. It carries the other ingredients and has no safety concern.

Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer is a synthetic plastic made from two petroleum derived building blocks, ground into fine particles that bulk up scrubs and mascara or help control the texture and gloss of a formula. It falls under a CIR review of vinyl type and related polymers, which reported very low residual monomer levels and concluded the polyene group ingredients are safe in the practices of use described.

A quaternized clay mineral used to thicken and suspend products. CIR found it safe as used, though the mineral base means trace amounts of inhalable silica particles exist if the powder form is aerosolized. It is well tolerated in leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics when formulated properly.

A synthetic emollient with properties similar to silicones, used for a smooth skin feel. Inert and not absorbed through intact skin, with no documented safety concerns in cosmetic formulations.

A mineral UV filter and white pigment used in sunscreens and makeup. It sits on the skin surface rather than being absorbed, and major regulators consider it safe for topical cosmetic use.

A soothing humectant that helps skin and hair look conditioned. Very well tolerated.

Caprylyl glycol is a plant-derived humectant that also has mild antimicrobial properties, so it is commonly paired with other preservatives to allow lower overall preservative levels. Available data do not point to meaningful irritation or sensitization concerns at typical use levels.

A synthetic film-forming emollient that provides a protective, flexible layer on skin. Not absorbed and well tolerated with no documented safety issues in cosmetic use.

A mineral thickener and anti-caking agent widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics to control texture and prevent ingredient separation. CIR has reviewed silica in cosmetic use and found no basis for concern at the levels used topically.

Cold-pressed oil from olive fruit, valued as a carrier and emollient in skincare formulas. Well tolerated across skin types and delivers fatty acids that support skin barrier integrity.

A refined mineral wax used to firm up ointment and balm texture and help form an occlusive barrier alongside petrolatum. Highly refined cosmetic-grade mineral waxes have long been reviewed as inert at the concentrations used in personal care products.

A common emulsifier and texture-softener made from glycerin and stearic acid. CIR review of this class found no evidence of reproductive, carcinogenic, sensitizing, or phototoxic effects in the studies examined.

Sodium dehydroacetate is a preservative that fights bacteria and fungi in water-based formulas, typically used alongside other preservatives at up to 0.6% (as the acid) and not permitted in aerosol sprays. CIR's panel has reaffirmed since 1985 that it's safe as used, based on it being practically nonirritating and nonsensitizing across many clinical tests, though the panel has also noted a small number of published hypersensitivity case reports set against very widespread use.

A silicone-based powder used to improve texture and slip in formulas. It is lightweight, absorbs excess moisture, and provides smooth application. Well studied in cosmetics with no skin safety concerns.

Propylene carbonate is a small, high-boiling solvent used to dissolve other ingredients and thin out formulas in products like lipstick, eyeshadow, and mascara. Undiluted material caused moderate skin irritation in testing, but at the concentrations actually used in finished products (generally under 20%), CIR's panel found it at most moderately irritating and reaffirmed it safe as used, with no meaningful sensitization or photoirritation seen.

Mineral pigments used to add color to cosmetics. Iron oxides are FDA-approved colorants with a well-established safety record in cosmetic formulations.

A lightweight hydrocarbon that gives formulas a smooth, silky feel. Used in color cosmetics and sunscreens. Well tolerated and inert.

Xanthan gum is a microbial-fermentation-derived polysaccharide used to thicken and stabilize textures, similarly common in food. Cosmetic panel review of this and related microbial gums found them safe as used, with no meaningful irritation signal at typical concentrations.

A plant-derived emollient and preservative formed from glycerin and caprylic acid (coconut) that helps retain moisture and supports formula stability through mild antimicrobial activity.

A plant-derived wax from carnauba palm leaves, widely used in cosmetics to provide texture and protective film-forming properties. Extensively documented as safe for topical use.

A simple sugar that functions as a humectant to bind moisture into the stratum corneum and is a component of the natural moisturizing factor. It is well tolerated in cosmetics and has no known sensitization concerns.

VP/eicosene copolymer is a synthetic polymer of vinylpyrrolidone and the hydrocarbon eicosene, used as a film former and dispersant in sunscreens, hairsprays, and lipsticks to help the product cling to skin or hair and hold up against water and humidity. CIR reviewed it as part of a broader group of vinylpyrrolidone polymers and found no evidence of irritation, sensitization, or other safety signal at the concentrations reported in use.

A silane used to improve texture and conditioning properties in leave-on cosmetics. It is hydrolyzed during formulation and creates silicone-like benefits; well tolerated at standard use levels.

A light, low-odor glycol used as a solvent and humectant, extremely common in Korean toners and essences. It has a low reported irritation rate and is graded low concern in published assessments.

Collagen protein hydrolyzed into smaller peptide fragments used in skincare formulations. It is graded low concern, with very rare reports of sensitization. Those with severe shellfish allergies may want to verify sourcing.

Trimethylsiloxysilicate is a silicone resin built from trimethylsiloxy and silicate units, used in makeup and skin and hair products to form a light, flexible film that adds body, wear, and a soft-focus finish. CIR's expert panel reviewed clinical and animal data on this and related silylates and concluded the ingredient is safe as used, provided the finished product is formulated so it isn't irritating to the eyes or respiratory tract when it's inhaled as a fine powder or aerosol.

A fast-evaporating solvent used to carry actives and give toners a light, "clean" feel; at the concentrations used in classic astringents it can be genuinely drying or irritating with repeated use, especially on dry or compromised skin, though it is not inherently toxic and is a normal, well-studied cosmetic ingredient.

A highly refined, inert petroleum-derived emollient that has been used in cosmetics and skincare for over a century. It creates a protective moisture barrier on the skin and is well tolerated by the vast majority of users, with minimal risk of irritation or sensitization.

A small-dose synthetic antioxidant that prevents oils and fragrance in a formula from oxidizing. Not shown to pose a toxicological risk at the levels used in cosmetics.

A humectant that draws water into the skin. One of the best-studied, best-tolerated ingredients in personal care.

Dextrin Palmitate is a starch derivative (dextrin) esterified with palmitic acid, used as a texturizing thickener and water-in-oil emulsion stabilizer, often in pressed powders and gel creams. Testing on this and closely related dextrin fatty-acid esters reported no eye irritation in rabbits and a high oral LD50 in rats, pointing to low acute hazard, though a dedicated CIR panel report specific to this ester has not been published.

A widely used preservative, safe at the legal limit of 1% or less. Often the "paraben-free" replacement.

A saturated fatty acid found in palm oil and naturally in the skin, used as an emollient to soften and condition skin. It is one of the most studied fatty acids and is well tolerated.

A silicone that gives a smooth, soft feel and helps hold water in the skin. Inert and well studied.

A mineral powder valued for its absorbent and soft-feel properties in cosmetics. Cosmetic-grade talc is required to be asbestos-free; inhalation risk from topical application is minimal. Generally well tolerated when used as intended.

A naturally occurring fatty acid (also made in the body and found in many foods) used to thicken lotions and help stabilize cleansing bars. It is one of the most well-studied emollient ingredients and is not a meaningful irritant at cosmetic use levels.

Silica silylate is silica surface-treated with trimethylsilyl groups so it feels silkier and disperses better into oil-based formulas; it works as an anti-caking and viscosity-control agent in pressed powders, foundations, and other makeup. CIR reviewed it in the same assessment as silica dimethyl silylate and trimethylsiloxysilicate and concluded it's safe as used, with the same caveat that the finished product should be formulated not to irritate the eyes or respiratory tract.

A polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol, used as a mild surfactant and emulsifier in cleansers and other rinse-off products. CIR assessments support the safety of laureth surfactants in cosmetics, and they are often chosen for their mildness.

A glycol used very widely in Korean and Western skincare as a lightweight humectant, solvent, and gentle preservative-booster, often in place of traditional preservatives. It has a low reported irritation rate at use levels and is graded low concern in published assessments.

A yellow iron oxide pigment approved by the FDA for cosmetic use. Part of the established list of color additives with a strong safety record in color cosmetics.

A refined cellulose derivative processed from plant sources, used as a thickener and texturizing agent in cosmetics. It is an inert polysaccharide with no known sensitization or irritation potential and is widely used in personal care and pharmaceutical formulations.

A fatty-acid and tocopherol-rich plant oil used as a hair and skin emollient; CIR's review of plant-derived fatty acid oils found no evidence of irritation or sensitization and a long history of safe use in food and cosmetics.

A chelating agent that binds trace metal ions to keep formulas stable and preservatives working properly. It is not a functional skincare "active" and only a very small amount is used, with minimal skin penetration expected.

A buffering agent used in tiny amounts to set a product's pH, most often alongside gel-forming polymers. It is graded low concern in published assessments at the levels used.