The effect of cationic polymer treatment on adhesion of iron oxide to eyelashes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of iron oxide application on improving the volume of eyelashes. Iron oxide, having a negative surface charge in its natural form, was coated with commercial cationic polymers to increase its adhesion. The iron oxides coated with different types and concentrations of these polymers were incorporated into a basic mascara formula to test their volume effects by means of the weight difference of eyelashes. The results indicated that the type and concentration of coating materials affect the surface zeta potential and particle cluster size of iron oxides. The type of cationic polymer, especially, was shown to modify both factors of iron oxide. The obtained results also suggested that the volume effect of mascara increases with a higher positive surface zeta potential and a smaller particle cluster size of the coated iron oxides.