Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.
EWG Home EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning EWG’s Food Scores Healthy Living App Open menu

EWG's Skin Deep®
Find products and ingredients Learn how Skin Deep® works Meet our experts Discover EWG VERIFIED™
GET UPDATES DONATE
Score legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED™
Product score: 02

Data Availability:

Limited

Beautycounter Volumizing Mascara (2018 formulation)

Beautycounter Volumizing Mascara (2018 formulation)

WHERE TO BUY

As an Amazon Associate, EWG earns from qualifying purchases.

CATEGORY

Mascara

BRAND

Beautycounter

DATA LAST UPDATED

January 2018

Ingredient concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • MODERATE
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • MODERATE
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Ingredient score: 01
WATER
Appeared as: AQUA/WATER/EAU
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) solvent
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX (CERA MICROCRISTALLINA)
Appeared as: CERA MICROCRISTALLINA/MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX/CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binder, bulking agent, emulsion stabilizer, viscosity increasing agent - nonaqueous, binding, emulsion stabilising, opacifying, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
ACRYLATES COPOLYMER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) adhesive, artificial nail builder, binder, film former, hair fixative, suspending agent -nonsurfactant, antistatic, binding, film forming
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Contamination concerns (METHACRYLIC ACID, ACRYLIC ACID, and 2-ETHYLHEXYL ACRYLATE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
GLYCERYL BEHENATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying agent, emollient, emulsifying
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
VP/ HEXADECENE COPOLYMER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binder, film former, hair fixative, suspending agent - nonsurfactant, viscosity increasingagent - nonaqueous, binding, film forming, hair fixing, viscosity controlling
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
PALMITIC ACID
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, opacifying agent, surfactant - cleansing agent, surfactant -emulsifying agentsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of palmitic acid., emollient, emulsifying
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX
Appeared as: CERA CARNAUBA/COPERNICIA CERIFERA WAX/CIRE DE CARNAUBA (CARNAUBA)
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) epilating agent, depilatory
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN WAX
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, skin protecting, smoothing, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Contamination concerns (PESTICIDES)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CELLULOSE
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) absorbent, bulking agent, slip modifier, bulking, opacifying, viscosity controlling
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
METHYLPROPANEDIOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) solvent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CENTAUREA CYANUS (CORNFLOWER) FLOWER WATER
Appeared as: CENTAUREA CYANUS FLOWER WATER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin conditioning
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
AMINOMETHYL PROPANEDIOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, ph adjuster, buffering
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES and OXAZOLIDINE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
ACACIA SENEGAL GUM
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) adhesive, fragrance ingredient, film forming, masking
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
DIMETHICONE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antifoaming agent, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin protectant, antifoaming, emollient, skin conditioning, skin protecting
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (high)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) abrasive, absorbent, anticaking agent, bulking agent, emulsion stabilizer, slip modifier;viscosity increasing agent - aqueous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
OENOCARPUS BATAUA FRUIT OIL
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient, moisturising
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
ROSA CENTIFOLIA (CABBAGE ROSE) FLOWER WAX
Appeared as: ROSA CENTIFOLIA FLOWER WAX
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) not reported, masking, skin protecting
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
JASMINUM GRANDIFLORUM (JASMINE) FLOWER WAX
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin conditioning
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binder, emulsion stabilizer, film former, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous, binding, emulsion stabilising, film forming, stabilising, viscosity controlling
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM CITRATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) ph adjuster, buffering, chelating, masking
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
MYRISTIC ACID
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, opacifying agent, surfactant - cleansing agentsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of myristic acid., cleansing, emulsifying, perfuming
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
STEARIC ACID
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, surfactant - cleansing agent, surfactant - emulsifying agentsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of stearic acid., cleansing, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, masking, refatting, surfactant
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
ROSA DAMASCENA (ROSE) FLOWER WAX
Appeared as: ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER WAX
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, masking
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
SODIUM BENZOATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, preservative, anticorrosive, masking
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, preservative
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
• Occupational hazards (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
CI 77499
Appeared as: IRON OXIDES
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) colorant, cosmetic colorant
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (high)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from packaging:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire microcristalline, Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Cera Carnauba/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Cellulose, Methylpropanediol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Dimethicone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil*, Rosa Centifolia Flower Wax, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Wax, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Wax, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides

Directions from packaging:

Apply mascara at base of lashes and wiggle upward. Turn brush vertically to apply to lower lashes. Build optimal fullness with multiple coats.

Warnings from packaging:

N/A

Product's animal testing policies

Some cosmetics companies have taken People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Leaping Bunny animal-testing pledges. For consumers who are concerned about companies’ policies on animal testing, Skin Deep reports this information.


Leaping Bunny

Products bearing the Leaping Bunny mark are certified cruelty-free under the Humane Household Products Standard, managed in the U.S. and Canada by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, a coalition of eight national animal protection groups. Participating companies must open their processes to independent audits throughout the supply chain.

LEARN MORE ON LEAPINGBUNNY.ORG

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED™ mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

More mascara

W3ll People Expressionist Pro Mascara - Blue (2022 formulation)
WELL PEOPLE
W3ll People Expressionist Pro Mascara - Blue (2022 formulation)
EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED
W3ll People Expressionist Pro Mascara - Brown (2022 formulation)
WELL PEOPLE
W3ll People Expressionist Pro Mascara - Brown (2022 formulation)
EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED
Rejuva Minerals Pur Lash Volumizing Mascara, Black Pearl
Rejuva Minerals
Pur Lash Volumizing Mascara, Black Pearl
EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED
W3LL People Expressionist Bio Extreme Mascara (old formulation)
WELL PEOPLE
W3LL People Expressionist Bio Extreme Mascara (old formulation)
EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED
VIEW ALL mascara

More from Beautycounter

Beautycounter Lip Sheer - Petal (2018 formulation)
Beautycounter
Lip Sheer - Petal (2018 formulation)
Product score: 2
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Beautycounter Lip Sheer - Twig (2018 formulation)
Beautycounter
Lip Sheer - Twig (2018 formulation)
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Beautycounter Lip Sheer - Coral (2018 formulation)
Beautycounter
Lip Sheer - Coral (2018 formulation)
Product score: 3
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Beautycounter Lip Sheer - Rose (2018 formulation)
Beautycounter
Lip Sheer - Rose (2018 formulation)
Product score: 2
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
VIEW ALL Beautycounter

EWG research
on the go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP