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Hello Brains! I recently discovered a new online American cosmetic company, Colourpop (www.colourpop.com). Their eyeshadows and blushes are fantastic, but there is a troubling moment. I was shopping on their website and noticed several products that are sold with their eyeshadows and liners that have the disclaimer “not for use around the eyes.” I found this very strange, especially considering the colors, like dark purple (leopard pressed pigment) and the instructions:
“For maximum coverage: Use fingertip and tap shadow onto eye lid. A flat, fine tip synthetic brush will work fabulously as well and is actually better for a more detailed application close to the lash line. However, your fingertips make for the most intense application. To blend: Use a fluffy brush that has good movement, dip tip of the brush into the shadow and blend with a “wind shield wiper” movement throughout the crease of the eye. This will make your shadow softer and more diffused (like a total pro). When finished, close that sucker up tight! Don’t leave the jar opened for long periods of time, you may lose some of the magic that makes the Super Shock Shadow so amazzzing. ***not intended for the eye area”
The ingredients are:
PRESSED PIGMENT CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, ISODODECANE, BORON NITRIDE, C30-45 ALKYL CETEARYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO) SEED BUTTER, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, DIMETHICONE/VINYLTRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE CROSSPOLYMER, PHENOXYETHANOL, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, [+/- TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), MICA (CI 77019), RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410), BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090), RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850)].
It looks like Colourpop is using red lakes that are not FDA approved for use around the eyes. I contacted the company and they said that the usage is up to consumer discretion and people are using these shadows on the eyes with no problems.
Is Colourpop breaking the law? What are the dangers of using this product around the eyes?I’m not in a position to say whether or not they’re breaking the law but here’s my assessment:
The formula you cited uses Red Lake 28 and Red Lake 7 both of which are on the FDA’s list of colors that can be used in drugs and cosmetics. (If you’re so inclined, you can click here to review the FDA’s color additive list for yourself.)BUT, according to the FDA, “None of these colors may be used in products that are for use in the area of the eye unless otherwise indicated.”I don’t see any indication to the contrary so it looks like these two lakes are NOT allowed in products to be used around the eye.What doesn’t make sense to me is why ColourPop would sell an eyeshadow that has the warning “not intended for the eye area.” WTF!?!I’m not a toxicologist but my understanding is that using unapproved ingredients around your eye can cause problems ranging from eye irritation to blindness.Some red eye pigments are not yet FDA approved for use around the eyes. They are approved in other countries. Some people can have allergic reactions. The best thing with these types of shades is to test carefully and keep them out of your waterlines. They are safe for blushes.
I have very sensitive eyes, and I haven’t had any trouble with CP’s or anyone else’s pigments.
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