Makeup consists of beauty products that are meant to accentuate or alter people’s appearances, and make them feel more confident. Eye makeup can enhance your eyes and make them sparkle, but sometimes, it can be harmful to your eye health — especially if used incorrectly. This makes one wonder —  is it bad to wear eye makeup every day? Let’s look at some potential eye problems associated with eye makeup and ways you can safely avoid them.

What Are Some Eye Problems Associated With Eye Makeup?

• Allergic Reactions: Sometimes, a specific eye makeup product could cause eye irritation, swelling, redness or infection as an allergic reaction. When this happens, you need to immediately stop using the product.
  
• Conjunctivitis: Most makeup products contain preservatives that prevent bacteria from forming. But sometimes, bacteria growth happens and causes conjunctivitis — or pink eyes.
  
• Cornea Scratch: While quickly applying kajal, mascara, or eyeliner, your cornea could get damaged. Or the surface of the eye could get scratched with an infected brush or makeup pencil. In extreme cases, the damage could cause severe infection. 

Can Wearing Eyeliner Damage Your Eyes?

Eyeliner does not damage your eyes, but applying it too close to the eye could lead to harm. Particles of eyeliner could get into the eyes and also cause problems if you have sensitive or dry eyes. It is even more affecting for those who wear contact lenses, especially when eyeliner is put on the inner lid margin.

If eyeliner is continuously being applied, tiny particles are allowed to then build up. The residue build-up can seriously damage the eyes — leading to infection, irritation and blurred vision.

Is Eyeshadow Safe for Eyes?

Eye shadow is generally safe, but some brands of eye shadow could contain ingredients like Coal Tar, Formaldehyde, Parabens, Aluminum and others. These could be harmful to your skin and eyes if particles get in. It is important to choose wisely and use the right kind of products — and use them correctly. 

Now that you have some answers, here and some dos and don’ts you need to consider. 

Eye Makeup: Dos and Don’ts  

• Don’t put on your eye makeup when driving or riding in a moving vehicle: That mascara wand or eyeliner brush could easily scratch your cornea. Sudden stops of buses or other vehicles can increase the risk of you scratching the surface of your eye. And of course, if you’re driving, then your full attention needs to be on driving.

• Don’t hold on to old makeup: Eyelashes naturally have bacteria on them. So when a mascara wand or eyeliner brush comes into contact, some contamination of the applicator happens over time. Moreover, all kinds of bacteria and fungi can multiply in these pretty little cosmetic boxes. And each of them come with shelf lives. Checking the makeup label before buying can help. Throw eye makeup products after 3-4 months of usage, and look for new products. 

• Don’t apply make-up at the meeting of the eye and the eyelid: Eye makeup at the point where the eye and the eyelid meet can block important meibomian oil glands, and cause dry eyes.

• Don’t wear makeup around the eye if you’ve recently had eye surgery: Do not wear makeup around the eye until your ophthalmologist tells you it is safe to do so if you have recently had an eye-related surgery. Get new makeup products to avoid any possible infections when you start wearing makeup again.
  
• Use clean eye makeup applicators: Before you use them, ensure the eye makeup applicators are clean. Wash or replace all brushes and sponges frequently.
  
• Apply eyeliner on the outside of the lash line: Don’t use eyeliner on the inner eyelids or the inside of the lash line. It will prevent any scratches to your eyes and prevent makeup from getting inside your eye.
  
• Remove eye makeup at the end of the day: Whenever your day ends, make sure to remove all makeup — especially eye makeup. Even the tiniest speck of eye cosmetics like mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow can cause an infection or irritation.
  
• Replace eye makeup after an eye infection: If you get an eye infection, it is important to replace all of your previous eye makeup products to avoid more bacteria spreading.
  
• Rinse your eyes thoroughly if makeup gets into them: Rinse them thoroughly with clean tap water or eye-wash solution. Remove out all makeup flakes from your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before rinsing your eyes. Clean them thoroughly with lens solution, and don’t put them back on for as long as there is irritation in the eyes. 

In case you suffer from eye pain, redness, irritation, eye discharge or persistent blurred vision after any eye makeup gets into your eyes — consult an ophthalmologist immediately. If you are in Udupi or Mangalore, the best place for a consultation and quality eye care is Prasad Netralaya. Call us at +91 9513596565 or book an appointment if you wish to visit in person.