COVID-19 Policy/Procedures – As of 4/3/2023 we will have new policies in place for the continued protection of our patients and staff. Read our policies here.

alarm-ringing ambulance angle2 archive arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up at-sign baby baby2 bag binoculars book-open book2 bookmark2 bubble calendar-check calendar-empty camera2 cart chart-growth check chevron-down chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up circle-minus circle city clapboard-play clipboard-empty clipboard-text clock clock2 cloud-download cloud-windy cloud clubs cog cross crown cube youtube diamond4 diamonds drop-crossed drop2 earth ellipsis envelope-open envelope exclamation eye-dropper eye facebook file-empty fire flag2 flare foursquare gift glasses google graph hammer-wrench heart-pulse heart home instagram joystick lamp layers lifebuoy link linkedin list lock magic-wand map-marker map medal-empty menu microscope minus moon mustache-glasses paper-plane paperclip papers pen pencil pie-chart pinterest plus-circle plus power printer pushpin question rain reading receipt recycle reminder sad shield-check smartphone smile soccer spades speed-medium spotlights star-empty star-half star store sun-glasses sun tag telephone thumbs-down thumbs-up tree tumblr twitter tiktok wechat user users wheelchair write yelp youtube

Makeup and Eye Safety

Cosmetics have come a long way from the toxic powders used in the Renaissance and Victorian eras.

We’re very happy that modern makeup is free of ingredients like lead, arsenic, and mercury. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s all perfectly safe to have around the eyes. The old saying might be “beauty is pain,” but as eye health professionals, we have to draw the line at beauty regimens that risk eye infection and injury.

The Closer to the Eye, the Bigger the Risk

Even with makeup that is completely free of toxins, there will always be some risk if you’re applying it very close to your eyes. That’s what makes waterline eyeliner, false eyelashes or eyelash extensions, and color contacts the riskiest types of cosmetics. They all increase the chances of eye infection because bacteria can build up on them and then get into the eyes.

This can also be a problem with mascara, because all it takes is a single use to contaminate a mascara wand. Eye shadow and eye liner meant for the outside of the eyelid rather than the waterline are much safer.

Aside from the risk of bacterial contamination, another potential hazard is scratching. A jab in the eye from a mascara wand or eyeliner pencil can scratch the cornea, and any dry, flaky, and powdery makeup that gets in the eye can cause redness, irritation, and swelling.

Protect Your Eyes While Looking Your Best

We aren’t suggesting that you should swear off all eye makeup. We’re simply asking for a reasonable level of caution, because our eyes are very vulnerable. Follow these tips to minimize any safety concerns with your eye makeup:

  • Pay attention to makeup expiration dates, especially with eye liner and mascara. Old makeup is much more likely to cause irritation and infection.
  • Always use clean brushes when applying your makeup.
  • Steer clear of the waterline. No matter how amazing it looks or how good you are at not poking yourself in the eye when applying it, it’s a bad idea to put that much foreign material right next to the tear film.
  • Never share your makeup applicators. We know how important it is to be supportive of friends, but sharing a mascara wand is a great way to spread germs!
  • Be careful who you buy color contacts from. Even if you don’t need corrective lenses, color contact lenses still need to fit the unique size and shape of your eyes, so only buy from vendors who require a prescription!

Still Have Questions About Eye Makeup?

If you have any concerns about the makeup products you’re using around your eyes, just bring them with you to your next eye exam so that we can take a look at them. If you’ve been experiencing any irritation, swelling, redness, or other problems with your eyes, don’t wait for your next regular appointment to stop by!

Healthy eyes are always beautiful!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.