As you’d expect the “eye” includes the globe, but also the eyelids, and is vulnerable to infection; as many contact lens wearers will know the more you touch the eye the more likely it is to be infected. Therefore applying make-up to the eyelids daily, particularly if the kit is not clean or past due date, can lead to problems with the eyelids, the tear film and the eye itself. Soot particles in mascara can also get into the small oil-producing pores along the length of the eyelid margin and block them. These Meibomian gland pores produce the essential oil required for a stable tear film. Blocking these pores causes a chronic inflammatory reaction in the eyelid called posterior meibomitis which is the most common cause of red eyes, dry eyes, and irritated eyes.
1. Wash your brushes.
Make-up brushes, in particular, will gather bacteria and dirt over time. This means every time you go to apply makeup using that brush you may be spreading that bacteria and dirt onto your eyelashes, eyelid margins and therefore tear film and possibly onto your cornea. Eyelash curlers can also build up bacteria, so the more you use them the more you chance you have of re-applying potentially harmful bacteria - all eyelash curlers need to be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis.
2. Don’t share makeup.
The concept of sharing makeup brushes and eyeliners is also a vector for cross-infection. You would never share a toothbrush, so consider why would your share mascara or eyeliner? The principle is the same. A toothbrush carries bacteria much like a mascara brush does.
3. Don’t apply on the move.
It goes without saying but applying any sort of eye make-up whilst on the move or on a bumpy journey can be potentially dangerous. As a worst case scenario, you could scratch your cornea which can lead to a corneal abrasion. Corneal abrasions are potentially very painful, associated with severe discomfort, tearing and redness but more seriously can lead to bacterial infections of the cornea itself.
4. Be wary of false eyelashes.
Even wearing false eyelashes can be potentially dangerous both initially and in the long run. Firstly applying any type of adhesive near your eye can cause problems if glue enters the tear film or ocular surface. Glue onto the ocular surface can cause abrasions, bacterial infections which can lead to scars and potentially permanent visual damage which may require surgery to restore vision. While extra-long lashes are the preference for many, they have been shown to possibly act as a wind-tunnel forcing air directly into the eye making them drier and dirtier.
5. Wash it off at night – with the right product.
Leaving makeup on after a night out only compounds the problems. Failing to wash off mascara or eyeliner is only going to increase the chances of bacterial and oil build up with eyelid inflammation. If applying makeup was risky enough, removing make-up could be more dangerous. If you don’t use the correct antiseptic wipes you’re only going to manoeuvre any bacteria back into your eye, leading to redness, irritation and potential infection.
6. Test products before use.
It’s, of course, important to test cosmetic products before applying them, especially when it’s so close to a vital body part such as the eye. Much like you would at the hairdresser, apply a little bit of the cosmetic onto the back of your neck as a test first.