While testing our homemade eyeliner product, we used the same tests as before, except without the eye and waterline test. We excluded that test because we weren't sure of the effects of the product and wanted to be cautious and only use it on our hands.
product recipes
substitution tables
Ingredient substitution analysis
As part of creating our own natural product, we researched hazardous ingredients that we would like to replace with more natural alternatives. I studied iron oxide, an ingredient that sounds harmless but is actually quite hazardous.
For #5 in the questions, the chemical structure is:
lab report
After conducting our tests on our eyeliner products, we wrote up a formal lab report about our findings. It is attached below.
cosmetic individual ingredient
1. What is your ingredient? My ingredient is Propylparaben. 2. How is your ingredient classified in your product? Propylparaben is classified as a sunscreen and an additive in our eyeliner. 3. Draw the chemical structure for your ingredient. Explain what you are looking at.
What you are looking at in this chemical structure is a bond of Hydrogen and Oxygen. This is also the same chemical bond that creates water, except there are three Oxygen molecules and 1 Hydrogen, instead of 1 Hydrogen and 2 Oxygen when creating water. 4. Are there different kinds or varieties of your ingredient? The different kinds of my ingredient are butylparabens, ethylparabens, methylparabens, and propylparabens. Butylparabens are used as preservatives in cosmetics, ethylparabens are used as an antifungal preservative, methylparabens are used as a fungicide, and propylparabens are used as sunscreen and additive. 5. What is the ingredient used for in your product? Propylparaben is used for a sunscreen in our eyeliner product, since many of the other ingredients react with UV rays or sunlight. The FDA requires products that may interact with the sun to include sunscreen.
6. Briefly list the positive aspects of your product. Positive aspects of this ingredient are the sunscreening properties, the moisturizing properties, and the coloring aspects. 7. Briefly list the negative aspects of your product. Negative aspects of this ingredient are it’s unknown safety status, although the FDA allows quantities of up to 25%. However, many cosmetics contain 0.01 to 0.3% parabens. 8. Is your ingredient prohibited or restricted by the FDA? My ingredient is not restricted or prohibited by the FDA because it has been thoroughly evaluated and proven to be safe in quantities below 25%. 9. What is the allowable concentration of your ingredient in order to be considered "safe"? The allowable concentration of parabens in order to be safe is under 25%. Many cosmetics contain 0.01 to 0.3%.
10. What is your opinion on the ingredient based on your research? My opinion on this ingredient is that it has been thoroughly reviewed and tested and has been proven to be safe, so I feel like I could trust using it in one of my products.
cosmetic chemistry vocabulary
phthalates - the chemical responsible for softening vinyl plastics and also used in fragrances in cosmetic products.
hypoallergenic - a cosmetic that is safe for your skin if you are sensitive to harsh chemicals or artificial ingredients.
comedogenic - an ingredient known to cause acne or clog your pores. Many cosmetics are non-comedogenic.
occlusives - occlusives provide a moisturized feeling on your skin by creating a layer so water cannot escape the skin.
active ingredients - the ingredients in a cosmetic product that are responsible for the actual effects of the cosmetic.
inactive ingredients - the ingredients in a cosmetic product that do not have any function in the actual product (eg. color)
preservatives - ingredients used to preserve cosmetics and prolong the life. Many natural cosmetics don't include preservatives.
transepidermal - the amount of water measured leaving the body through the epidermis. The water is usually evaporated away.
hygroscopic - a layer created by a cosmetic product to prevent itself from interacting directly with the skin. Usually in cosmetics with toxic ingredients.
solvated - a resin used to boost color in cosmetics. It works by using solvated electrons in your skin to bond and boost color.
humectant - a hygroscopic substance used to keep things moist. Used in many shampoos and some cosmetics.
esters - used as a skin conditioner. Created by bonding alcohol and acid through elimination of water. Usually non-irritating.
solvents - an ingredient that aids in the removal of cosmetic products by slowly breaking down the ingredients.
emulsions - a mixture of water and oil that helps in the application of cosmetic products so they don't dry up.
surfactants - a chemical bond between the ingredients of the cosmetic product that separates the product from the skin.
emollients - a chemical moisturizer designed to make the outer layers of the skin feel moisturized and more pliable.
moisturizers - a usually non-chemical moisturizer designed to hydrate the skin at the lower layers.
waxes - a thickening agent, used to reduce the active ingredients used in the cosmetic and instead are mixed with wax
thickeners - a thickening agent, usually wax, used to create a bulkier and thicker cosmetic.
stabilizers - used alongside a solvent to aid in the removal of the cosmetic product.