Is SkinActive Eye Contour Illuminating Safe? Ingredient Analysis
L'Oreal
L'Oreal's SkinActive Eye Contour Illuminating is reviewed here as a skincare. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Ci 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes niacinamide and tocopherol, which are beneficial, but also contains synthetic additives like phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate, raising quality concerns.
Main concern
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about potential irritation for sensitive skin.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Niacinamide is known for its skin-soothing properties, contributing positively to skin appearance.
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E) acts as an antioxidant, potentially enhancing skin protection.
- Banana and pineapple extracts may provide natural benefits, adding to the product's appeal.
- Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid can help with moisture retention, improving skin hydration.
Concerns
- Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about potential irritation for sensitive skin.
- Sodium benzoate is another synthetic preservative, which may pose quality issues in terms of ingredient safety.
- Dimethicone and its derivatives can create a barrier on the skin, which may not be suitable for all skin types.
- The presence of multiple synthetic colorants like CI 77891 and CI 77492 may indicate a highly processed formulation.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- users trying to avoid silicones
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this skincare, not just listed as a raw label.
-
Is Water safe in this skincare?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this formulation, providing hydration and facilitating the absorption of other ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: WATER
-
Is Glycerin safe in this skincare?
Good
Glycerin is used here as base. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, enhancing hydration and skin softness.
Role in formula: base
Original: GLYCERIN
-
Is Dimethicone safe in this skincare?
Medium
Dimethicone is used here as emulsifier. Dimethicone provides a smooth application and helps to lock in moisture, but may cause issues for acne-prone skin due to its occlusive nature.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: DIMETHICONE
-
Is Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil safe in this skincare?
Good
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil is used here as natural_extract. Apricot kernel oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, providing nourishment and moisture to the skin.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: PRUNUS ARMENIACA KERNEL OIL/APRICOT KERNEL OIL
Read the full ingredient profile for Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
-
Is Niacinamide safe in this skincare?
Good
Niacinamide is used here as natural_extract. Niacinamide is known for its skin-soothing and brightening properties, making it beneficial for uneven skin tone.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: NIACINAMIDE
-
Is Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer safe in this skincare?
Medium
Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer is used here as thickener. This ingredient is used as a thickener and stabilizer, but concerns exist regarding its synthetic nature and potential irritation.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: ACRYLAMIDE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE COPOLYMER
-
Is Silica safe in this skincare?
Medium
Silica is used here as thickener. Silica is used for its absorbent properties, helping to control shine, but may cause dryness in some formulations.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: SILICA
-
Is Ci 77891 safe in this skincare?
Bad
Ci 77891 is used here as colorant. Titanium dioxide is a synthetic colorant that may raise concerns regarding its safety in cosmetic formulations.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: CI 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE
-
Is Isodecane safe in this skincare?
Medium
Isodecane is used here as emulsifier. Isodecane is used for its emollient properties, providing a lightweight feel, but is a synthetic ingredient.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: ISOHEXADECANE
-
Is Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer safe in this skincare?
Medium
Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used here as emulsifier. This ingredient enhances texture and spreadability but may not be suitable for all skin types due to its occlusive nature.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER
Read the full ingredient profile for Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
-
Is Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol is used here as natural_extract. This ingredient is used for its moisturizing properties, but its synthetic nature raises some concerns.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: HYDROXYPROPYL TETRAHYDROPYRANTRIOL
-
Is Caffeine safe in this skincare?
Good
Caffeine is used here as natural_extract. Caffeine is known for its potential to reduce puffiness and dark circles, contributing positively to the eye area.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: CAFFEINE
-
Is Synthetic Fluorphlogopite safe in this skincare?
Bad
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used here as colorant. This synthetic mica is used for shimmer but raises concerns about synthetic additives in cosmetics.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE
Read the full ingredient profile for Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
-
Is Propylene Glycol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Propylene Glycol is used here as solvent. Propylene glycol is a solvent that helps to dissolve other ingredients, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: PROPYLENE GLYCOL
-
Is Phenoxyethanol safe in this skincare?
Bad
Phenoxyethanol is used here as preservative. Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that can cause irritation and raises concerns about its safety in cosmetics.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: PHENOXYETHANOL
-
Is Acrylates C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer safe in this skincare?
Medium
Acrylates C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is used here as thickener. This ingredient is used as a thickener and stabilizer, but concerns exist regarding its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER
Read the full ingredient profile for Acrylates C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
-
Is Tocopherol safe in this skincare?
Good
Tocopherol is used here as natural_extract. Tocopherol (Vitamin E) acts as an antioxidant, providing skin protection and enhancing the product's quality.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: TOCOPHEROL
-
Is Chlorphenesin safe in this skincare?
Bad
Chlorphenesin is used here as preservative. Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative that may cause irritation and raises safety concerns in cosmetic formulations.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: CHLORPHENESIN
-
Is Polysorbate 80 safe in this skincare?
Medium
Polysorbate 80 is used here as emulsifier. Polysorbate 80 is used as an emulsifier but may raise concerns regarding its synthetic nature and potential irritation.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: POLYSORBATE 80
-
Is Ascorbyl Glucoside safe in this skincare?
Good
Ascorbyl Glucoside is used here as natural_extract. Ascorbyl glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C that may provide antioxidant benefits and brighten the skin.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: ASCORBYL GLUCOSIDE
-
Is Triethanolamine safe in this skincare?
Medium
Triethanolamine is used here as buffer. Triethanolamine is used to adjust pH but may cause irritation for sensitive skin, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: TRIETHANOLAMINE
-
Is Ci 77492 safe in this skincare?
Bad
Ci 77492 is used here as colorant. Iron oxide is a synthetic colorant that may raise concerns regarding its safety in cosmetic formulations.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: CI 77492/IRON OXIDES
-
Is Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used here as chelating_agent. This ingredient is used as a chelating agent to improve stability but is synthetic and raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: chelating_agent
Original: TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE
Read the full ingredient profile for Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
-
Is Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract safe in this skincare?
Good
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract is used here as natural_extract. Banana fruit extract is rich in vitamins and may provide nourishment and hydration to the skin.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: MUSA SAPIENTUM FRUIT EXTRACT/BANANA FRUIT EXTRACT
-
Is Adenosine safe in this skincare?
Good
Adenosine is used here as natural_extract. Adenosine is known for its soothing properties and may help improve skin texture and appearance.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: ADENOSINE
-
Is Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid safe in this skincare?
Good
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is used here as natural_extract. Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is effective for moisture retention, enhancing skin hydration and plumpness.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID
Read the full ingredient profile for Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
-
Is Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid safe in this skincare?
Medium
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid is used here as buffer. This ingredient is used to adjust pH levels but is synthetic, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: HYDROXYETHYLPIPERAZINE ETHANE SULFONIC ACID
-
Is Mica safe in this skincare?
Medium
Mica is used here as colorant. Mica is used for its shimmering properties but is often synthetic, raising concerns about ingredient quality.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: MICA
-
Is Sorbitan Oleate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Sorbitan Oleate is used here as emulsifier. Sorbitan oleate is used as an emulsifier but may raise concerns regarding its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: SORBITAN OLEATE
-
Is Musa Paradisiaca Fruit Juice safe in this skincare?
Good
Musa Paradisiaca Fruit Juice is used here as natural_extract. Banana fruit juice is rich in vitamins and may provide nourishment and hydration to the skin.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: MUSA PARADISIACA FRUIT JUICE/BANANA FRUIT JUICE
-
Is Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract safe in this skincare?
Good
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract is used here as natural_extract. Pineapple fruit extract is known for its exfoliating properties, potentially enhancing skin texture.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: ANANAS SATIVUS FRUIT EXTRACT/PINEAPPLE FRUIT EXTRACT
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this skincare?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to adjust pH and may provide mild exfoliation, contributing positively to skin health.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: CITRIC ACID
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this skincare?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about its safety and potential irritation.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: SODIUM BENZOATE
-
Is Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate is used here as emulsifier. This ingredient is used as an emulsifier but is synthetic, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE
-
Is Lactic Acid safe in this skincare?
Good
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid is known for its exfoliating properties and can help improve skin texture and hydration.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: LACTIC ACID
-
Is Tin Oxide safe in this skincare?
Medium
Tin Oxide is used here as colorant. Tin oxide is used as a colorant and may raise concerns regarding its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: TIN OXIDE
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a mild preservative that helps prevent microbial growth but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: POTASSIUM SORBATE
-
Is Aluminum Hydroxide safe in this skincare?
Medium
Aluminum Hydroxide is used here as thickener. Aluminum hydroxide is used as a thickener but raises concerns regarding its synthetic nature and potential safety.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 4275507
More from this brand: L'Oreal products in Zerotox
Similar products: skincare in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.