2022 has seen a further rise in the number of lash and brow enhancement products in the Australian market.
With bushy brows and long lashes la mode of the moment, beauty formulators have been quick to jump on the trend, coming up with growth products designed to get the look. Beauty therapists have also been quick on the uptake, investing in retail products to coincide with their in-salon treatment offerings.
In line with the roaring trade are debates around not only the efficacy of some products, but the safety, particularly as SKUs have been released with such haste. Australian formulators are worried. Given the lax regulation surrounding overseas formulations, consumers here are largely unaware of the products they’re using and the potential issues that may arise from untested, unmonitored ingredient use.
Felecia Tappenden, who heads up Australian made beauty and ingestible brand, CanGro is passionate about getting the right messages around product safety across. We questioned Felecia on the trend, and uncovered what stockists and consumers alike need to watch out for before investing in these products:
When formulating a product designed for the eye area, what important factors should a chemist and brand consider?
“Our eyes are a very delicate and sensitive area of our body and so we must be very careful when applying products around this area. For this reason, it was important for us to make our serum ‘thicker’ than others on the market so it doesn’t drip into the eye. Our serum is more like a gel than a watery based product.
Another important thing to consider is fragrance. It’s best not to add any fragrance to products being applied near the eyes as the fumes can make the eyes sensitive. Same goes with preservatives.
Safer options [should be considered] as you don’t want any harsh ingredients touching your eyelids.”
What are prostaglandins, and why should they be avoided in eyelash growth products?
“Prostaglandins (or growth hormones) are a prescription only short-term medication used to treat the eye disease glaucoma and should not be used long term. They have serious side effects, including discolouration of the iris, eye drooping, eyelid skin hyperpigmentation, intraocular inflammation, dark circles under the eyes, blurry vision, dry eyes, swelling, and a bunch of other nasty symptoms.”
Outline some of the things consumers are unaware of surrounding Australian ingredient safety regulations, and why these are an issue for brands like CanGro.
“The regulations require certain percentage levels and exclusions of some ingredients, especially around the eye area. When CanGro was developing our serum, we engaged a TGA Lawyer to be sure we were compliant.”
I understand CanGro is committed to using safe ingredients only in their Australian made products. What is CanGro’s alternative to prostaglandins?
“CanGro’s Long Lashes Eyelash Enhancer is a mixture of vitamins, peptides and antioxidants that work together to stimulate, strengthen and condition the eyelashes. It leaves them looking longer, thicker and fuller in as little as 4 to 8 weeks. Our lash serum is made here in Australia and is completely safe.”
What are some of the other benefits to choosing CanGro over other eyelash enhancement products in the market?
“Our Long Lashes Eyelash serum was one of the first to market over five years ago and is now Australia’s #1 selling eyelash serum. We spent over 12 months developing our serum with a team of formulators here in Australia and are very proud to be one of only a few Australian made lash serums (most are manufactured overseas).
Being a product that is applied so close to the eye area, quality is of extreme importance and we have spared no expense in having our serum made here in Australia so we know it’s 100% safe! You never know what you are getting with products manufactured overseas as they are unregulated.”
For more information on CanGro, or to stock the brand at your beauty business, visit their website.
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