Knowledge is Power

Or, Ingredients Matter.

I had my first serious reaction to eye makeup about a week ago. The thing is, it was ultimately my fault.
I have in my possession some mineral shadows that contain dyes. While these aren’t strictly “mineral” shadows, the range of color offered from these dyes gives me some of the variety I crave. I am aware that many D&C dyes and other synthetic colors can be a problem, particularly in the eye area, but I decided to use the product anyway.
This isn’t a new concept for me. Writing here and researching certain common ingredients has led to an increased awareness on my part about the possible hazards of cosmetics. Knowing this I make my choices accordingly. I know the hubbub about parabens, and I understand it, but I will still purchase products with parabens. However, I have issues with ingredients like bismuth and dimethicone, and try to avoid them as much as possible. I have a responsibility to myself and the other women in my life to weigh risks and benefits and decide what is most important. These are personal decisions, and I won’t ever fault anyone for purchasing strictly organic products OR for not giving a damn and purchasing whatever they feel like. If you have the information you need then, well, you’re a grown up and you are entitled to do whatever you please.
So, I applied this vividly pigmented  shadow one day and headed off to work. I used nice clean brushes, my usual primer, and a touch of sealant mixed with the shadow. The only new product was the shadow. About an hour into the day my eyelids started to itch a bit. Then they started to itch a LOT. By the end of the shift my lid from lash to crease had developed a stinging, itching feeling that made me want to claw my eyes out. I thoroughly washed my makeup off the minute I got home and went through the rest of my day cosmetics free. Those who know me know that the reaction had to be pretty bad to prompt that kind of response! The next day I returned to using my tried and true mineral shadows with no ill side effects. My lids remained tender for about a day after removing the offending shadow.
I was aware that certain dyes CAN irritate skin, but I have fairly tough skin and have never before experienced a reaction of this sort to an eye color. I started to search out more information on some of the ingredients in question and was very surprised at what I found. The warning on the website where I purchased is fairly mild, suggesting a patch test if you have sensitive skin and noting nothing else. What they failed to mention is that some of the ingredients in particular aren’t FDA approved for use in the eye area, even though they are  marketed as EYE PRODUCTS. In my opinion, there is a huge risk to be had in using these products for their intended purpose, and consumers aren’t being made aware of these risks before they purchase. I have removed from my collection similar shadow formulations, and don’t intend to use them again. Looking back now I can see that it would have been advisable to check this stuff out BEFORE I purchased these items, but I had purchased from this company before and have had a decent experience up to now.

My main point here is pretty much what MBB is about. You have to know what you’re dealing with. It’s not enough to read a PR blurb or product description and  believe that it contains everything you need to know. Even the informed among us don’t know everything, so we have to take accountability for our own well being and be our own advocates. Companies exist to sell products and make money, and will always present information in a way that is favorable to them, even if it isn’t an intentional fallacy. Information is more than power in this scenario, it’s a way to keep your body safe and your eyesight intact.
Ingredients matter, results matter…and most importantly, truth matters. We only get one face, one body, one life, be careful what you do with it.