Essence Superfine Eyeliner Pen Waterproof Versus Lancôme Idôle Ultra-Precise Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acrylates Copolymer
Methylpropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Acrylates Copolymer
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Simethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenylpropanol
Masking
PPG-2-Deceth-30
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Alcohol Denat., Acrylates Copolymer, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycerin, Panthenol, Simethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, PPG-2-Deceth-30, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77266
Water
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
CI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantMethylpropanediol
SolventStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Acrylates Copolymer
Poloxamer 407
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Water, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, CI 77266, Methylpropanediol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Acrylates Copolymer, Poloxamer 407, Coco-Glucoside, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCI 77266 is a high-purity pigment used to create an intense black color in cosmetics. It is made up of fine particles of pure carbon. This ingredient is also often listed as Carbon Black in ingredient lists.
You'll likely find this ingredient in mascaras, eyeliners, brow products, and eye shadow.
In the US, this ingredient can only be used if it meets strict FDA specifications. Certain versions even require batch-by-batch certification after extensive safety evaluation.
In the European Union, this ingredient is permitted as a colorant and classified as a "nanomaterial" based on its particle size (meaning it requires deeper assessment).
The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has reviewed nano-sized carbon black specifically and concluded that it does not pose a risk to human health when used in cosmetic products applied to healthy, intact skin and formulated to avoid inhalation.
Studies support this regulatory stance. Laboratory studies on nano-carbon black show potential for cytotoxicity and inflammatory effects in immune cells; it is important to highlight these findings are based on in vitro (not done on a living organism) testing or inhalation scenarios rather than normal topical cosmetic use.
Occupational studies involving industrial workers exposed to airborne carbon black have not shown a clear link between cumulative exposure and cancer risk. These findings are not directly applicable to cosmetics; cosmetic formulations bind pigments within creams, gels, and liquids that are not inhaled.
Overall, evidence shows that this ingredient is safe under regulatory guidelines and purity standards, especially when formulated to avoid airborne exposure.
Even with regulatory approval and a long history of use, some consumers might prefer to avoid ingredients that are petroleum-derived or that fall under the “nanomaterial” category.
Choosing whether to use CI 77266 isn’t necessarily about safety alone; it can also be about personal philosophy, comfort level with synthetic versus natural ingredients, and how much weight you place on ongoing research and regulatory oversight.
Makeup is highly individual, and personal preference plays an important role in deciding what feels right for you.
Learn more about CI 77266
