Physician's Formula Eye Booster Gel Eyeliner Trio Black Versus Clinique High Impact Easy Liquid Eyeliner
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
AbrasiveOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Seed Extract
BufferingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 18050
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylsiloxysilicate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methyl Trimethicone, Polyethylene, Ozokerite, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Lauroyl Lysine, Lecithin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tin Oxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 77266, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 18050
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acrylates Copolymer
Alcohol
AntimicrobialAcrylates Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBeheneth-30
CleansingBentonite
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSorbitan Trioleate
EmulsifyingTitanium/Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSimethicone
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Alcohol, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beheneth-30, Bentonite, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Stearate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sorbitan Trioleate, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citric Acid, Simethicone, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77266, CI 42090, CI 75470, CI 77289, CI 77288, CI 77510, CI 77007, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
CI 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