Teach Soap

I came across this recipe for homemade mascara today on Homestead Survival:
2 tsp coconut oil
4 tsp aloe vera gel
1/2 tsp grated bees wax (grate then measure)
1 – 2 capsules of activated charcoal
a clean mascara container
Basically, everything is heated together and then squeezed into a mascara tube. They say to use it within 4-6 months.
I noted there was no preservative, which I *thought* was necessary because of the aloe gel.
One of the commenters from a reader was that "this recipe may actually keep better because of the coconut oil which is naturally anti-bacterial."
I know I wouldn't use this on my eyelashes. What do you all think?

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I would stay away from this recipe with a 10 foot pole. It's one thing to make lotion from scratch, it's COMPLETELY another to make a mascara that goes right by your eyes at home. Nope! Nope! No! Not going there.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

You have touched on a highly debated subject in the world of natural users and creators. Yes, coconut oil has some preservative properties (this is one reason it is recommended for using on your wooden cutting boards and such), but on the other, many don't feel that the amount that you would have present in most recipes would be concentrated enough to work as a lone preservative.
By simple virtue that this is an eye makeup, I would be cautious. If I were considering using this, I would send off a batch for challenge testing. Being that they offered an use by date, I wonder if they did this, guessed, or if they took the word of someone else? Anyway, I would say that testing is the only way to know for sure. It is possible that the amounts are the perfect combination.
I have seen some scientific studies that have combined various ingredients with antibacterial/antifungal/antioxidant properties that have worked to adequately preserved a particular product. But without absolute proof in my hot little hands, I would never use, and certainly never sell, a product like this without a preservative. And since the liability of this cosmetic scares me anyway, I will stick to revlon! Lol
As a side note, I have seen a similar recipe before without the aloe gel and I did consider trying it for myself....but the ease of the commercial product won out and I never did.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I just checked back on the posting and someone had made a comment about how much she liked Homestead Survival, but that this recipe had her cringeing. She went on to say that the aloe vera gel pictured was not all natural and had 3 preservatives in it, and also that none of the other ingredients (except for the beeswax) was meant to be used in mascara and sited some reasons, etc. She commented "We all want natural chemical-free beauty products, but when it comes to the eyes, sometimes natural isn’t safe if the ingredients can grow bacteria, fungus and mold."
Needless to say, I "liked" her comment and posted a thank you.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Gee, wasn't really thinking clearly earlier, but I bet all aloe vera gel has preservative in it already. I wonder if that is why the author thinks this is a safe recipe. Well, no matter the reason, I stand by my "the liability of this cosmetic scares me" comment and still think revlon is the way to go!
Good for the author of the comment you read and supported! Sometimes it is hard to speak up and out, especially when it is on a respected, all natural website. I commend you both for speaking up!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Anytime you add ANYTHING to a store bought aloe gel you will mess up the proper % of preservatives and they can easily fail. Coconut doesn't have preservative properties in this formula.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I saw that on FB yesterday and cringed a little. I'm with soapbuddy on this one, even though I can't use aloe due to allergies, I do not put any hand made products that close to my eyes. The risk for infection is way too high when putting products next to your eyes. I like my eyes & don't think I'd look good with a glass eye.

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Genny

Wearing mascara is not an attempt to look natural (at least not for me, I always hope to look better than before I apply it) so what's the point of requiring a natural product for it? I just don't get it. I would hope that anything I put near my eyes would be preserved like crazy, tested in a lab, and successfully used by millions. Aside from the lack of preservative, the danger of eye infection and loss, this formula seems like it would be pretty uncomfortable to wear. It would feel quite heavy and flaky on your lashes. For the three times a year I actually wear makeup I would stick with my evil commercial mascara too.

I totally agree. That's why I was thrilled when that other poster spoke out against it. I'm sticking with commercially made mascara.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!