Hypoallergenic Glue for Eyelash Extensions: Myth or Reality? Learn How to Read the Label and Understand the Chemistry of the Glue

Every day we receive many requests for hypoallergenic glue, and often our experts are asked about the real hypoallergenic nature of some glues found in various online stores, especially those advertised as "without cyanoacrylate."

Lately, the choices have become overwhelming. It's easy to get lost in the criteria. The development of the chemical industry and new technologies has progressed so much that new products regularly appear on the market. Moreover, few courses explain the chemistry of glue or at least its composition, which further complicates things.

In this article, we want to clarify not only the myth of "hypoallergenic" glue but also provide you with the tools to fully understand the glue composition without having to spend a fortune on glue that, in the end, might not be so different from others.

 

1. Cyanoacrylate

Let's start with the component most feared by everyone: "cyanoacrylate," the great enemy of all. Many lashmakers look for glue without cyanoacrylate. We will try to explain this concept as simply as possible.

Cyanoacrylate is what actually makes a glue a glue, allowing it to stick. Without it, the glue would be little more than water.

Period. There is no other explanation.

ester of cyanoacrylic acid. This volatile substance ensures strong adhesion on any surface, controls the adhesion speed, consistency, and duration. Cyanoacrylate makes up about 90% of the entire eyelash extension glue compound.

The cyanoacrylate family is broad and includes several variants of acrylates: alkoxy-, ethyl-, butyl-, methyl-. At the same time, one or more variants of cyanoacrylate may be present in the glue composition.

 

2. Variants of acrylates:

• Butyl-2-cyanoacrylate is used in medical adhesives because it is more compatible with the skin. Its adhesion speed is much slower compared to ethyl and methyl cyanoacrylate.

• Ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate is a modern and safe form of cyanoacrylate. It is present in most eyelash extension glues. This component regulates the amount of evaporation and the strength of the adhesion. The higher the presence of this category of cyanoacrylate in the formula, the greater the adhesion strength, durability, and amount of evaporation.

• Methyl-2-cyanoacrylate is a more toxic substance compared to ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate. The higher the presence of methyl-2-cyanoacrylate in the formula, the faster the adhesion.

• Alkoxy-cyanoacrylates (2-methoxyethyl-2-cyanoacrylate and 2-ethoxyethyl-2-cyanoacrylate) are the safest cyanoacrylates, producing a minimal amount of vapors and causing practically no discomfort. However, the polymerization speed is around 2-3 seconds.

But marketing never sleeps, and since everyone is afraid of cyanoacrylate, it is sometimes replaced with a less scary word: Polyacrylate. After all, what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve, right?

But beware, because polyacrylate is nothing more than a set of esters derived from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and/or cyanoacrylic acid.

 

3. Other components of the glue

In addition to cyanoacrylate, thickeners, stabilizers, plasticizers, coloring pigments, and other auxiliary additives are added to the glue composition.

Also, formulations may contain isoprene, a natural base that makes the glue elastic during drying.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is used as a thickener in most glues. This component influences the density and adhesion speed but has practically no impact on evaporation.

The more PMMA present in the composition, the higher the density and the slower the glue dries.

4. So what to do if I am allergic or my clients are allergic?

If you are allergic to eyelash extension glue, here are some measures you can take:

1. Choose a glue with a lower concentration of cyanoacrylate; usually, these glues carry the name "Safety," for example Barbara "Safety".
2. Always use a drop stopper to prevent toxic substances from evaporating from the drop after use.
3. Buy a fan to extract fumes.

For more details on what to do in case of an allergy to eyelash extension glue, check out our article "Lashmaker VS Allergies".

 

5. Conclusion

Now that you have all the necessary information, you can also understand that there is no hypoallergenic eyelash extension glue; it is simply a marketing strategy. Whatever name is given to the main substance, cyanoacrylate and its presence in the glue do not disappear.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

In the past, when the profession of lash-maker was not so in demand and there were few variants of eyelash glue, the composition was based on resins and rubber. However, the formula contained formaldehyde, a substance very harmful to people. This caused terrible reactions: eyes would tear up for a long time after application, become red and inflamed, itch... Today, such a reaction is absurd. Formaldehyde has not been used for a long time, or if it is used, it is only in low-quality and cheap glue variants.