What Ingredients Are Essential in a Concealer?

An indispensable part of the makeup kit, concealer helps to conceal signs of tiredness by making the eyes glow. The main ingredients are pigments that cover the discoloration under the eyes. The color of the pigment may vary depending on the color of the dark circles under the eyes. In addition, concealers may contain active ingredients to provide long-term benefits. These may be moisturizing (hyaluronic acid), circulation-enhancing (niacinamide, caffeine) and decongestant (cornflower hydrolate) active ingredients or vitamins (vitamin E) and UV filters.

To avoid discomfort, you should avoid certain ingredients when choosing a concealer.

• Synthetic polymers are often part of concealer formulas due to their film-forming properties. However, some of these polymers are suspected of being carcinogenic, such as polyvinylpyrrolide (PVP).

• Synthetic preservatives are also typically added to concealer formulas in order to prevent the growth and colonization of bacteria. For example, phenoxyethanol may be included. This compound can cause skin allergies, neurological disorders and effects on reproduction. Likewise, the National Agency for Drug and Health Product Safety attributes side effects such as moderate to severe eye irritation to this preservative. Given these facts, you should not opt for a concealer that contains phenoxyethanol. In addition, some concealers contain parabens, which are known endocrine disruptors. Therefore, avoid concealers that have, for example, butylparaben or propylparaben in their INCI list.

• BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) may be included in concealers due to their antioxidant properties. In fact, these substances prevent oxidation and decay. However, both substances are suspected of being endocrine disruptors. In a few words, endocrine disruptors are molecules that are capable of messing up the hormonal system. They are also classified as potential carcinogens by the A.R.T.A.C. (Association Française pour la Recherche Thérapeutique Anti-Cancéreuse). Finally, both molecules are also known to be sensitizing, meaning they can trigger allergies.

• Silicones are sometimes contained in concealers. Although not all silicones have adverse effects on health and some are completely harmless, cyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and cyclopentasiloxane (D5) are both suspected of being endocrine disruptors.

• Some concealers contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as natrium lauryl sulfate (NLS), to act as a surfactant. This compound alters proteins in the membranes of skin and eye cells, causing irritation and redness. SLS is also classified as harmful to animals, water and plants. REACH (European Regulation on the Safeguarding of the Manufacture and Use of Chemicals) classifies SLS as ecotoxic.