Beauty Secrets: What Mascara is Really Made Of

Women have been enhancing their eyelashes with mascara for thousands of years. The first recorded use dates back to 3000 B.C. in Ancient Egypt, where a mixture made from kohl—animal fat and soot—was used, and even men wore it. Over time, this practice evolved into the Victorian era and culminated in 1917 when Eugene Rimmel created the first tube of mascara.

What is Mascara Made Of?

Today, mascara is a staple product with various tried-and-true formulas. While many women can’t imagine a day without it, few know what goes into this cosmetic. People are just beginning to understand the true ingredients behind it.

A short YouTube video revealed the components of mascara, shocking many who were just learning what this mixture contains. The narrator explained that there are four main ingredients: wax, water, pigment, and binders. Although formulas vary by manufacturer, nearly every mascara consists of both oil-soluble and water-soluble phases.

The Mascara Production Process

An expert explains that to create the oil phase, a technician combines four different types of wax: carnauba, candelilla, beeswax, and glycerin stearate—a binder that “helps the ingredients blend well.” Next, liquid vitamin E is added to condition the lashes and give the mascara a smooth texture. Then, a chemical compound called Pelemol D-2000 is introduced to make the mascara waterproof.

The mixture is then heated, and as the wax begins to melt, all the ingredients combine. This combination creates a “semi-liquid gel that coats the lashes with a glossy film.”

While this stage is underway, the technician separately prepares the water-soluble phase. This is done by heating cold water before adding the emulsifier. As noted by the Daily Mail, according to the expert, this will bind the water and oil phases when they come together later. Without the emulsifier, the oil and water-soluble substances would naturally separate.

To give the mascara its black color, a cosmetic pigment made from black iron oxide is added to the hot water, and the mixture is thoroughly stirred. The technician then adds an organic compound to help balance the pH level of the cosmetic product, along with cosmetic powder to give the mascara a silky feel. To complete the magical formula, both mixtures are heated and combined.

Quality Testing and Bottling of Mascara

Before this cosmetic is ready for packaging, it must undergo a series of quality checks. First, a viscometer is used to measure the thickness, ensuring that the product isn’t too runny or sticky.

Once approved, technicians begin packaging the product by pouring batches into a filling machine that continuously mixes the mascara and keeps it warm. This is necessary to ensure the mixture remains liquid, preventing it from turning into a gel and clogging the nozzles.

As it cools in the bottle, the mascara transforms into a semi-liquid gel. Workers complete the process by sealing it with a rubber stopper and screwing on the cap. Finally, the bottles are labeled, sealed, and packaged, ready to hit the shelves of beauty stores worldwide.

The video showcasing the mascara-making process has garnered 317,000 views. Beauty enthusiasts were astonished to learn how this cosmetic is made. Some referred to mascara as a true chemical soup, while others noted that most liquids in their machines are less processed and synthetic.