Everyone talks about skincare ingredients: retinol, vitamin C, peptides, collagen. Meanwhile, the products sitting directly on your skin for eight, ten, sometimes twelve hours a day somehow get a free pass — which feels a little crazy.
The skin around your eyes is some of the thinnest and most delicate skin on your body. Yet many eyeshadows still contain ingredients that can be drying, irritating, or controversial enough that we'd personally rather not put them anywhere near our face.
Does that mean your favorite eyeshadow is single-handedly causing wrinkles? Probably not. Aging is inevitable. But needlessly speeding up the process when better alternatives exist? That's a different story.
If you're investing in your skin everywhere else, it's worth taking a closer look at what's going on in your makeup bag too.
Here's what we're covering:
- The ingredients we avoid (and why)
- What to look for on ingredient labels
- Skin-loving alternatives
- A few eye-area habits worth stealing
Premature Skin Aging: What's The Cause?
Aging is a given. Premature aging isn't.
Some things are outside our control. Genetics are genetics. But plenty of the things that influence how quickly our skin ages are things we're exposed to every day: sun exposure, pollution, free radical damage, irritation, inflammation, and yes, the products and ingredients we put on our skin.
Some ingredients are known irritants, some can contribute to dryness, and some have been linked to free radical damage or other health concerns and simply have no business being anywhere near the delicate eye area.
The good news? None of these ingredients are essential for buttery, blendable, deeply pigmented eyeshadow.
Let's take a closer look at some of the biggest offenders.
Why Ingredients Are Especially Important In Eye Makeup:
The skin around your eyes is some of the thinnest and most delicate skin on your body. It's also often one of the first places to show signs of dryness, irritation, and aging.
Even the FDA—which generally does very little to regulate cosmetics—has separate rules for eye-area products and prohibits ingredients around the eyes that are permitted elsewhere in cosmetics.
In other words, your eyelids aren't your elbows.
When you're applying a product to such a delicate area day after day, the ingredient list deserves a closer look.
What's In A Typical Eyeshadow:
Ingredient lists are designed to be ignored. We think that's a mistake. Below are two conventional eyeshadow formulas with some of the ingredients we intentionally formulate without highlighted in bold. Here's what they are and why they made our list.
The Top 8 Aging, Toxic Ingredients To Avoid In Your Eyeshadow:
1. Parabens
On ingredient labels: Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
What they do:
Parabens are preservatives used to prevent bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms from growing in cosmetic products.
Why we avoid them:
Few cosmetic ingredients have sparked as much controversy as parabens. Studies have shown that parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, raising concerns about hormone disruption and long-term exposure. And considering there are plenty of effective preservative systems available today, we're not entirely sure why we're still having this conversation.
Why they concern us around the eyes:
The eye area is already prone to dryness and irritation. Research has linked parabens to changes in meibomian gland function, which can contribute to dry eye symptoms and discomfort. Dry, irritated skin is the last thing we're aiming for around one of the most delicate areas of the face.
2. Ethoxylated Ingredients
On ingredient labels: PEGs (Polyethylene Glycol), Laureth-7, Polysorbate-20, Steareth-20, and ingredients ending in "-eth"
What they do:
Ethoxylated ingredients are used as emulsifiers, surfactants, solvents, and texture enhancers. In other words, they help formulas blend together smoothly and improve texture and performance.
Why we avoid them:
The concern isn't necessarily the ingredient itself—it's how it's made.
Ethoxylated ingredients are produced using ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen. The manufacturing process can also create contamination with 1,4-dioxane, another carcinogen that doesn't appear on ingredient labels because it's considered a byproduct rather than an intentional ingredient.
There are cleaner ways to formulate high-performing eyeshadow. We chose those instead.
Why they concern us around the eyes:
Some PEGs can increase skin penetration, meaning other ingredients may be absorbed more easily as well. Certain ethoxylated ingredients can also be irritating to sensitive skin, particularly around the eyes.
And when skin becomes dry or irritated, fine lines tend to look a whole lot more obvious.
3. Carbon Black
On ingredient labels: CI 77266, Carbon Black, Black 2
What it does:
Carbon black is a pigment used to create deep black color in cosmetics. You'll commonly find it in mascaras, eyeliners, brow products, and dark eyeshadows.
Why we avoid it:
Carbon black has faced safety concerns for decades due to its potential carcinogenicity and contamination risks. It's one of the most controversial pigments used in cosmetics, yet it still shows up in products designed to be applied directly around the eyes.
Which raises a pretty reasonable question: why? When safer alternatives exist, we're not particularly interested in taking that gamble for the sake of a black pigment.
Why it concerns us around the eyes:
Carbon black has been associated with oxidative stress and free-radical formation, both of which can contribute to premature aging over time. And considering the eye area is already one of the first places to show signs of aging, we'd rather not give those processes any extra help.
4. Paraffins
On ingredient labels: Paraffin Wax, Isoparaffin, Liquid Paraffin (Mineral Oil)
What they do:
Paraffins are petroleum-derived ingredients used to improve texture and create a barrier on the skin.
Why we avoid them:
Some mineral oil derivatives have raised concerns around contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), compounds linked to cancer. They're also incredibly inexpensive, which is one reason they've become so common in cosmetics.
Why they concern us around the eyes:
Paraffins form a film over the skin. While that can temporarily make skin feel smoother, it can also contribute to irritation in some people. And irritation and inflammation are two things that tend to show up again and again in conversations about premature aging.
5. Polyacrylamide
On ingredient labels: Polyacrylamide
What it does:
Polyacrylamide is used as a film-forming agent, helping products adhere to the skin and creating a smooth, long-wearing finish.
Why we avoid it:
Polyacrylamide can be contaminated with acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen and neurotoxin. The ingredient has faced enough scrutiny over the years that it's difficult to look at an ingredient list and not wonder why it's still there. The EU has banned this ingredient from cosmetics altogether.
Why it concerns us around the eyes: The eye area is already one of the first places to show signs of aging. Adding an ingredient associated with carcinogenicity concerns simply to create a cosmetic film feels like a strange trade-off.
Polyacrylamide can also contribute to dryness, and when skin becomes dry, fine lines tend to become a whole lot more obvious.
6. Talc
What it does:
Talc is used to absorb moisture, improve texture, reduce shine, and give powder products that silky-smooth feel.
Why we avoid it:
Talc and asbestos form naturally alongside one another in the earth. That means talc can be contaminated with asbestos if it isn't carefully sourced and tested.
The problem? Cosmetic companies are not required to test every batch of talc for asbestos contamination. And while some brands do conduct testing, talc-containing products have repeatedly been recalled over the years due to asbestos concerns.
For us, that's enough of a reason to skip it.
Why it concerns us around the eyes:
Talc is designed to absorb moisture, which can leave skin feeling drier over time. And when skin is dry, fine lines pop.
Want the full story? Read: The Truth About Talc In Makeup (And Why We Don't Use It).
7. PTFE (Teflon)
On ingredient labels: PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
What it does:
PTFE helps create a smoother texture and that silky, blurred finish many makeup products are known for.
Why we avoid it: Yes, it's the same ingredient family best known for coating non-stick cookware.
PTFE belongs to a broader group of chemicals known as PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they break down incredibly slowly in both the environment and the body. Some PFAS have been linked to hormone disruption, immune system effects, and certain cancers, which has sparked growing concern among researchers and regulators alike.
Why it concerns us from an aging perspective:
Research has linked PFAS exposure to increased oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is one of the major drivers of premature aging, contributing to the breakdown of collagen, loss of elasticity, and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
8. Polybutene And Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
On ingredient labels: Polybutene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
What they do:
These ingredients are used to improve texture, create a smoother application, and help products adhere to the skin.
Why they concern us:
Both ingredients have been linked to irritation, particularly around the eye area. And while irritation may not sound like a huge deal, it's not exactly what we're looking for in products designed for daily use.
Why they concern us from an aging perspective:
Skin tends to age better when it's calm. Constant irritation, redness, and inflammation create the exact opposite environment.
Skin-Loving Ingredients To Look For Instead:
Here's the wild part: none of the ingredients we just listed are necessary – the same vibrant colors, smooth application, long-lasting, blendable formulas can be achieved with only organic, non-toxic, sustainable ingredients.
And what's more: makeup should enhance the health of your skin! All ĀTHR Beauty eyeshadows are filled with skin-loving ingredients that help protect skin from UV rays, repel aging free-radicals, and soothe and moisturize the skin. Shadows that can nourish the skin all over your face (hello, eyeshadow as highlighter or blush!)
Because if your makeup has the power to make your skin look worse, shouldn't it have the power to make it look better too.
Your eyelids deserve an upgrade →
Your Eyeshadow Questions, Answered
Can eyeshadow cause wrinkles?
Eyeshadow itself doesn't cause wrinkles. However, ingredients that contribute to dryness, irritation, inflammation, and oxidative stress can make the eye area look older over time—especially when they're used daily.
What ingredients should I avoid in eyeshadow?
Some of the ingredients we avoid include talc, parabens, PEGs, PTFE (Teflon), carbon black, paraffins, and polyacrylamide.
Is talc bad in eyeshadow?
Talc can be contaminated with asbestos, and cosmetic companies are not required to test every batch for contamination. It's also designed to absorb moisture, which can leave skin looking drier and make fine lines appear more noticeable.
Are parabens bad in eye makeup?
Parabens have been linked to hormone disruption concerns and may contribute to irritation and dry eye symptoms in some people. Considering the alternatives available today, we don't think they're necessary.
What is PTFE in makeup?
PTFE is a synthetic ingredient used to create a smoother texture and blurred finish. It's part of the broader PFAS family, often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly in the environment and the body.
