Posted by: Carolinas Center for Sight in Eye Safety

Wearing eye makeup can be a part of one’s daily routine or might only be reserved for special occasions, but no matter when you wear it, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t jeopardize your overall eye health. Many don’t think about the hidden issues that lie within a tube of mascara or on an eye shadow palette, so that’s why we’re going to dive deep into the dangers of eye makeup that you need to know about. 

Can It Really Be That Harmful?

Eye makeup seems like a rather innocent item in your bathroom, but it can be host to a world of bacteria that can cause eye damage. For most people, there are three main issues that can arise from the use of these products:

  1. Conjunctivitis – It’s a long word that describes an eye infection and can occur from using expired makeup or by sharing eye makeup with     someone else who has an infection.
  2. Allergic reactions – Some ingredients in eye makeup can cause redness, itching, swelling, or an infection.
  3. Scratched cornea – You can accidentally scratch your eye while applying mascara or even eyeliner, creating a corneal abrasion. If left     untreated, it could become infected.

Other Elements To Consider

The idea of foregoing eye makeup might be sad for some, but with a little extra care and attention, you can avoid its dangers and still enjoy creating your unique look.When wearing eye makeup, keep in mind the following tips:

  • It’s best to add in new eye makeup one item at a time in case you develop a reaction. As exciting as it might be, don’t try a new eye shadow, mascara, and eyeliner all on the same day.
  • Never apply eye makeup in a moving vehicle, even if you’re not driving. If the car suddenly comes to a stop, you might end up poking yourself.
  • While it might be expensive, eye makeup does eventually expire and you should never use a product past its lifespan. Check each item’s label to see if it indicates how often you should replace it.
  • Avoid sharing makeup with friends or family members. It’s wise to steer clear of department store testers as well, as someone else with an infection may have previously used the item.
  • If you have an eye infection, immediately throw away all of your eye makeup. It may be costly to replace, but if you continue to use each product, you’ll be reinfecting yourself over and over again.
  • When possible, steer clear of glitter or metallic eye makeup, as the particles can fall into your eyes and easily scratch your corneas.

Best Practices 

Eye health and makeup can go hand in hand, it’s just key to remember the above tips and always wash your eye makeup off every night before you go to bed. Make sure to use makeup removers that are safe for the delicate eye area and pay attention to any usual changes in or around your eye area. If you think you have an eye infection, contact your ophthalmologist right away!