Creating cosmetics
The ingredients that make up makeup
Adhesives
Lash extensions continue to grow in popularity. There are three types on the market:
synthetic lashes are made of plastic fibres, such as polybutylene terephthalate. Some extensions are made from human hair, and there are some products still made from mink fur. For shop-bought lashes, tacky glue is applied along the eyelid and easily removed with water and soap. However, professionals use a glue adhesive also found in superglue, called cyanoacrylate, for long-lasting extensions. Although these might contain similar ingredients, never use superglue or other glues on your own false eyelashes at home.
Preservatives
Cosmetics come with a sell-by date. To prevent the growth of any fungi and bacteria, antimicrobial ingredients are used. These include alcohols and acids, including parabens. These are chemical compounds extracted from para-hydroxybenzoic acid found in fruits and vegetables. In recent years these compounds have been studied for their potential role in causing some cancers. Although studies haven’t shown a direct link, experts are concerned about a link between the cumulative use of parabenbased products and developing certain cancers.