MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara (Jet)

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

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 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.

A chemically produced wax derived from petroleum refining, used to add texture, viscosity, and occlusive properties to formulations. It is an inert ingredient with a long history of safe use in cosmetics and is well documented as non-toxic and non-irritating.

A synthetic film-forming polymer derived from vinyl compounds, commonly used to provide hold and texture in skincare and cosmetics. It is generally well tolerated and does not bioaccumulate in skin or tissue.

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.

A linoleic-acid-rich plant oil used as an emollient and, in some small pediatric studies, associated with support of the skin barrier when applied to infant skin. It is well tolerated with a low reported rate of contact reactions.

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 lightweight humectant and solvent similar in role to propylene glycol, used to carry actives and give lotions a lighter feel. CIR has reviewed it and considers it safe as used in cosmetics.

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 buffering agent used in small amounts to maintain or adjust the pH of formulas to keep them skin-friendly. It is not added as an active ingredient but to keep the product at a safe and stable pH level.

A plant-derived emollient oil rich in ricinoleic acid, used in skincare for decades. Contact allergy has been reported but is uncommon relative to how widely it is used in leave-on products.

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.

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.

Galactoarabinan is a polysaccharide pulled from larch tree wood, used to form a light, breathable film that helps skin hold onto moisture and gives serums and primers better spreadability. It was reviewed by CIR as part of a larger group of plant polysaccharide gums, where reproductive and developmental toxicity data across the group came back essentially negative, and it was found safe as used.

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 phospholipid emulsifier from soy or sunflower that binds water and oil and helps other ingredients absorb. It is a natural component of skin membranes, well tolerated, and reviewed as safe as used; a soy-derived grade is not a meaningful concern for a soy food allergy because the protein is largely absent.

An antioxidant that helps protect a formula and condition skin. Well tolerated.

A fat-soluble vitamin C ester that provides antioxidant activity on skin. It is more stable than free ascorbic acid and is graded low concern in published assessments, with rare reports of sensitization at high concentrations.

Used in tiny amounts to set a product to skin-friendly pH. No concern at those levels.

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