L’Oreal 86% natural ingredient mascara?
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
I was pretty intrigued to read that L’Oreal Paris has just launched a new mascara which is said to contain 86% natural-origin ingredients. Called L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral-Enriched Mascara, this new mascara is part of the L’Oreal’s Bare Naturale mineral cosmetics collection. It’s only available in USA at the moment and while I’m not hot about mascara, this is the first time I’ve come across a mass market branded mascara that is positioned as natural. So it piqued my interest to find out more.
Hypoallergenic formula with 86% natural-origin ingredients
L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral-Enriched Mascara is available in three shades: black, black brown and blackest black and is described as a hypoallergenic formula of 86 percent natural-origin ingredients, including aloe, jojoba oil and Vitamin E as well as minerals. In addition, it is also paraben- and fiber-free. Yet according to L’Oreal, this mascara can create beautiful, weightless lashes enhanced with volume, length and definition. Plus the super soft, naturally-based, bristle brush provides flawless lashes with absolutely no clumps.
Bare Naturale Mineral-Enriched Mascara ingredient list
Sounds pretty promising but when I took a look at the ingredients, these are what the mascara contain:
Aqua / Water • Cera Alba / Beeswax • Cera Carnauba / Carnauba Wax • Acacia • Senegal / Acacia Senegal Gum • Stearic Acid • Alcohol Denat • Palmitic Acid • Triethanolamine • Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Phenoxyethanol • Aminomethyl Propanediol • Panthenol • Sodium • Polymethacrylate • Simethicone • Bht • Polyquaternium-10 • Aloe Barbadensis/ Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Tocopherol.
Why does it have to contain Triethanolamine? Because this is a highly hazardous toxic ingredient according to Skin Deep. And strangely, I noticed that some of L’Oreal’s older mascaras which were rated to be safe did not contain this said ingredient, meaning it’s likely not an essential ingredient in a mascara.
The whole positioning of this new mascara is very strange to me. I mean, sure a 86% natural-origin ingredient mascara sounds quite a big deal. But in today’s context where women are more discerning, aren’t they going to question the remaining 14%? Why not make it 100% all the way? Or for goodness sake, just quit mentioning the percentage!
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Posted in Ingredients101, VivaPicks | 5 Comments »
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August 6th, 2008 at 2:17 am
It’s disturbing that big brands want to show their “natural” side but in truth they aren’t seriously committed to be 100% natural…at least not for now.
clara: And it also makes me wonder a bit more about this piece of news:
http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Financial/L-Oreal-accused-of-using-banned-chemicals
August 6th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Hmm don’t know about natural mascara, but what puts me off is that L’Oreal products go through heavy animal testing. I wish they focused on a more animal-friendly concept.
Alina: Yeah, I remember reading that one. Actually, I’ve been thinking why it’s necessary to test skin care products on animals at all.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Seriously, i wasn’t aware that L’oreal conducted animal testing!
I MEAN we are the ones who will eventually be using the product, so why can’t they test on human skin?
Twinkle: Well, sadly, companies need guinea pigs for the chemical loaded stuff they create…
October 30th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Aloha I purchased this mascara 2 wks ago thinking wow this is great, a mascara without parabens,with great natural ingredients. Well I tried it, messy application, my eyes started to burn, get irratated, I thought it may be the shadow I used so waited a few days and tried it again. Same thing. I thought that since it didn’t contain parabens it must contain something else as a preservative that is very strong to get this reation. Thanks to this article I know the answer. I just hope I haven’t damaged my eyes in the 5 times I tried it.
Liona: Oh dear…you might be allergic to some of the ingredients. Do you wear contact lenses by the way. Could be that too.
February 6th, 2010 at 6:26 am
I purchased this mascara in Ontario, Canada, back in November 2009. After using the product, I became a swollen, red face and pain by the next day – however I did not link the condition of my face to the mascara at that time. The doctor made x-rays of my face and put me on antibiotics for 7 days. The x-rays showed, that I had a skin infection. 3 days after finishing my medication my face was swelling up again and I was put again on antibiotics – now for 10 days. Unfortunately after finishing also this medication my face was swollen again and this time I was put on the med for 14 days and was referred to an allergist. No common allergy was found but the doc indicated that I might respond negatively to cosmetics. I then recalled that I had used always this particular mascara the day before my face became swollen. Therefore I tested the mascara by using the product again and my face responded a couple hours later with a swelling. I contacted L’Oreal Canada and found out that the production of this mascara is now discontinued and was in addition not to be sold in Canada. I have researched the net and found that others have similar problems with this mascara and I believe now strongly that this product causes health issues and was therefore discontinued. How can they sell this product now in Canada and how many people got or will be getting sick? Just to make a couple $’s of profit!!! People paying for the mascara and in addition for doctors and medications!!!!!!!!!!!!