Nine weird ingredients in makeup

Tag : Egg Powder

3. Diatomaceous Earth (a component in dynamite)
Also known as diatomite, this is one of the two components ofdynamite (along with nitroglycerin). DE is a silica-based powdermade of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a kind of spherical,hard-shelled algae.
Because the particles are hollow, they are very porous; it is evenutilized in cat litter and water filtration processes. Incosmetics, diatomaceous earth finds a home in natural toothpastes,deodorant, absorbent powders, cuticle cream, and inmild-exfoliation products due to its gentle abrasiveness.
4. Albumen (egg whites)
Egg whites are sticky and gooey, but they constrict veryefficiently when dried, and are used in skin-firming products forjust this reason.
Processed for purity and spray-dried for industrial use, albumendoesn't exactly resemble your breakfast. But the next time you takehalf an hour to use that peppermint hydrating peel-off mask, thinkabout the eggs you left in that pan this morning. Mental Floss: Disgusting flavors
5. Plastics
In addition to the obvious packaging role, plastic serves as afilm-former in hair gel, hairspray, barrier products, and liquidbandages.
Used as polyvinyl alcohol and various other forms, plastics areeasily incorporated into many skin and hair care products. Plastickeeps your coif in that perfect "Flock of Seagulls"swoop, makes your waterproof mascara waterproof, and suspends thoselittle beads in your eye gel.
Speaking of beads, tiny polyethylene spheres are frequently used inexfoliating scrubs. The products are generally marketed as"extra gentle," since they are perfectly round and do notdamage the skin's surface when used in moderation.
6. Simethicone (gas relief drops)
To all mommies who have lain awake with a fussy baby, thisingredient is better known as gas relief drops (Mylicon is apopular brand.) For cosmetic and industrial purposes, the genericname 'antifoam' is usually applied.
For the same reasons we ingest it, simethicone is used in cosmeticsduring the manufacturing process to reduce the surface tension ofair or gas bubbles, causing them to collect and rise upward. In ababy, this is called 'burping' and the process is identical incosmetic manufacturing, although it lacks the distinctive noise andcuteness.
7. Urea (formerly extracted from urine)
As a cosmetic ingredient, urea is a functional skin-softener andhumectant, which means it helps to collect and hold moisture in theskin.
And thank goodness it isn't extracted from horse urine anymore,because a form of urea (diazolidinyl urea, specifically) is widelyused in all manner of cosmetics, household cleansers and hairproducts as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and preservative. Mental Floss: Five foods people actually die for
8. Propylene Glycol (not antifreeze)
Commonly mistaken for its lethal and less human-contact friendlycousin, ethylene glycol (antifreeze), propylene glycol gets a badrap.
Used to moisturize the skin and hair, as a primary ingredient in"self-warming" products (this time, think lube), and toextract herbal ingredients for greater stability and efficacy thanwater, propylene glycol is a multi-tasker in the cosmetic quiver oftricks.
While it is not toxic or harmful, propylene glycol just so happensto share a few of its unsavory relative's anti-freezing effects; itis commonly used on the wings of aircraft to prevent theaccumulation of ice crystals and excess moisture, which can causedrag and erratic flap control.
9. Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (or, as my granny called it,shortnin')
This is the exact thing that you buy in the giant metal can, andthat comes in a 20-pound brick for the food service industry.Topically, hydrogenated vegetable oil is an amazing skin-softener,emollient, and barrier ingredient.
You can find it in most heavy body and foot creams, lip balms, andin some suntan products. Although the trans fat content is alegitimate reason to avoid eating it, it actually improves thecosmetic performance of the ingredient -- many substitutions forpetrolatum contain a hefty proportion of hydrogenated vegetableoil.