COMPLETE GUIDE TO MAKEUP AND YOUR EYE HEALTH

In your twenties, your skin is typically at its peak in terms of elasticity and collagen production. However, this is also when many people start using makeup regularly. Continually applying and removing makeup can cause the skin around your eyes to dry and irritated. This is especially true if you’re not diligent about removing your makeup before bed or using harsh products.
Over time, this can lead to premature ageing and the early onset of fine lines and wrinkles. To minimise these risks, it’s crucial to establish good habits early. Always remove your makeup before bed, use gentle, hypoallergenic products, and moisturise regularly to keep the skin around your eyes hydrated and healthy.

As you move into your thirties and forties, the skin around your eyes becomes thinner and more delicate. This makes it even more susceptible to damage from makeup application and removal. Additionally, the risk of developing infections from using old or contaminated makeup increases during this period. Bacteria can quickly grow in makeup products like mascara and eyeliner, especially those used around the eyes.
These infections range from minor irritations to serious conditions like conjunctivitis or keratitis. To protect your eye health, it’s essential to regularly clean your makeup tools and replace your makeup every few months. Also, consider switching to hypoallergenic makeup products that are less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.

In your forties and fifties, the effects of long-term makeup use can become more noticeable. The skin around your eyes may show premature ageing, with more pronounced wrinkles and fine lines. Additionally, the risk of developing Dry Eye Syndrome increases during this period.
Certain makeup products, especially powder-based ones, can exacerbate this condition, as they can dry out the eyes. To preserve your eye health, using cream or liquid-based makeup products that are less likely to cause dryness is recommended. Also, consider using an eye cream or serum that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides, which can help to hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

As you move into your sixties and beyond, taking care of your eye health becomes even more critical. The skin around your eyes is at its thinnest and most delicate, making it more susceptible to damage. Age-related eye conditions like Cataracts and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) have become more common. To protect your eyes, it’s important to continue following the practices established in earlier years - removing makeup before bed, cleaning makeup tools regularly, and replacing makeup every few months. Also, consider having regular eye check-ups to catch any potential issues early.

One of the most important practices in maintaining eye health when using makeup is regularly cleaning your makeup brushes. If not properly cared for, these tools can become a breeding ground for bacteria. This bacterial build-up can then be transferred to your eyes, leading to infections or irritations. Therefore, cleaning your brushes at least once a week is crucial. Use a gentle brush cleaner or a mild shampoo, rinse thoroughly, and allow them to air dry. This practice not only helps to protect your eyes but also extends the life of your brushes and ensures better makeup application.

While lending your mascara or eyeliner to a friend might seem harmless, sharing eye makeup can spread bacteria and infections. Each person has unique bacteria on their skin, including around the eyes. When you share makeup, you also share these bacteria, which can lead to conditions like conjunctivitis or styes. To maintain the health of your eyes, make it a rule to keep your makeup to yourself.

Mascara, in particular, can be a hotbed for bacteria. This is due to the nature of its application - each time you pull the wand out and expose it to air, bacteria can latch on and then get pushed back into the tube, creating an environment for them to multiply. Using old, potentially contaminated mascara can lead to eye infections. Therefore, replacing your mascara every three months is recommended, or sooner if it starts to dry out or smell different. This practice ensures that you’re not exposing your eyes to unnecessary risks.

Applying makeup in a moving car might seem like a time-saver, but it’s a practice that can lead to eye injuries. If the car makes a sudden stop or an unexpected turn, you could end up poking your eye with a mascara wand or eyeliner pencil. These injuries can range from minor scratches to serious corneal abrasions. To protect your eyes, always apply makeup in a stable, stationary environment where you control your movements.

Leaving makeup on your eyes overnight can lead to many problems, including eye infections, eyelash breakage, and premature skin ageing around your eyes. Makeup can clog your eyelids’ tiny hair follicles and oil glands, leading to painful styes or chalazion. Mascara and eyeliner can also flake off at night and end up in your eyes, causing irritation or infection. Therefore, always make it a point to remove all makeup before bed using a gentle, oil-free makeup remover or cleanser.

Just like food, makeup also has an expiration date. Using expired makeup can lead to skin irritation, breakouts, and eye infections. Over time, makeup can break down, harbour bacteria, and lose effectiveness. Pay attention to the expiration dates on your makeup products and replace them as needed. If a product doesn’t have a specific expiration date, a general rule of thumb is to replace eye makeup every three months, foundations and lipsticks every year, and powders every two years.

Mascara makes the eyes appear bigger and form an intense look by darkening, stretching, and thickening the eyelashes. Mascara has been produced in various forms, including cakes (or blocks), creams, gels, and low-viscosity liquids.

Eyelash dye and tint involve the application of permanent and semi-permanent colourants onto the lashes to make them appear darker and thicker. The colour can last several weeks (tinting) or longer (dyeing).

Eyelid makeup enhances your eyes - making them look big, bold, and attractive. The most popular products in this category are eyeliner and eyeshadow. Eye makeup remover products may be applied to make them more easily wiped off.

Eyeliner is used to make the eyes bolder with illusive shapes and sizes. Based on fashion trends, it is applied outside the lash line, on the inner lid area closer to the eye, or along the waterline. Eyeliner can be found in a cake, liquid, cream/ gel, or pencil with different formulations.

Eyeshadow is applied to eyelids and below the eyebrows to create depth and dimension to the eyes, making them and their colour stand out and become more attractive. Compared to other facial make-up products, the formulation of eyeshadows requires special care to prevent scratches, infections, irritation, and toxic effects due to soft-thin skin type and proximity to the eyes.

Eye makeup remover helps eye makeup to be more easily wiped off. The remover comes in different forms, including oils, creams, balms, and foams. Chemically, such removers follow the general principle of solubility referred to as “like dissolves like”, in which substances with similar chemical characteristics are dissolved in each other. Therefore, water alone cannot effectively remove cosmetics containing lipophilic compounds, requiring surfactants/ emulsifiers in oil-based or oil-free formulations.

Also referred to as blepharopigmentation, it has recently gained increasing attention. It removes the need for the daily application of eyeliner makeup and provides wearers with an enhanced dull eye.

Artificial eyelash, adhesive, and remover. Eyelash extensions and false eyelashes create bold and attractive looks by modifying natural lashes’ length, volume, curl, and thickness. Lash extensions are individually ‘stuck to’ the base of each natural lash using a special glue. False (strip) lashes are glued on top of your natural eyelashes. Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent and last for several weeks. False lashes are one-time use with the possibility of being reused 2–3 times.

Preservatives are necessary for most makeup products, including those for the eyes. They prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, extending the product’s shelf life. However, some preservatives can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. For instance, parabens, a common class of preservatives, have been linked to skin irritation and more serious health concerns. Another preservative to be cautious of is formaldehyde, which can be released by preservatives like Diazolidinyl Urea. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause an allergic skin reaction.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are preservatives that may act as endocrine disruptors. They are commonly found in eyeliners.

Fragrances are often added to makeup products to make them more appealing to the consumer. However, fragrances are a common cause of allergic reactions. They can cause symptoms such as redness, itching, and swelling. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, choosing fragrance-free eye makeup products is best.

Aluminium powder is often used in mascara and can cause eye irritation. Long-term exposure to aluminium has also been linked to adverse health effects.

• It can cause eye irritation, especially for those with sensitive eyes. This irritation can manifest as redness, itching, or swelling. In severe cases, it may even lead to conjunctivitis or other eye infections if the irritated area is not properly cared for.
• Aluminium is a neurotoxin. While the small amounts present in cosmetics are generally considered safe for topical use, there are concerns about the potential cumulative effect of long-term exposure. Some research suggests that high levels of aluminium could contribute to neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. However, this connection remains controversial and more research is needed.
• It can cause skin discolouration, creating a bluish or greyish tint to the skin, a condition known as argyria. However, this is extremely rare and typically associated with industrial exposure rather than cosmetic use.

• Synthetic Dyes: are often derived from petroleum or coal tar, are frequently used due to their stability and range of bright, intense colours. These include colours listed as FD&C or D&C followed by a colour and a number, such as FD&C Yellow 5. While effective in providing colour, these synthetic dyes have been associated with various skin issues. They can cause skin irritation, including redness, itching, and swelling, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin or dye allergies. In some cases, these reactions can be severe, leading to dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin. Coal tar dyes, in particular, have been a subject of concern. Despite their everyday use in eyeliners and other eye makeup, they have been linked to skin irritation and allergic reactions. Moreover, there are concerns about their long-term safety. Some studies suggest a potential link between prolonged exposure to certain coal tar dyes and increased cancer risk. However, more research is needed.
• Natural Dyes: Given these potential issues with synthetic dyes, many consumers and brands are turning towards natural colourants. These are derived from plants, minerals, and other natural sources and are considered safer for the skin. Examples include beetroot powder, turmeric, and spirulina, which provide beautiful shades of red, yellow, and green. However, it’s important to note that even natural colourants can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Hence, it’s always important to patch-test new products.

Polybutene is a synthetic polymer commonly used in various cosmetic products, including mascara, due to its adhesive properties. It helps to improve the product’s texture, making it smoother and easier to apply. It also contributes to the product’s longevity, helping the mascara to stay on the lashes for an extended period without smudging or flaking.
However, despite its widespread use, polybutene has been associated with several potential health concerns. The most immediate concern is skin irritation- redness, itching, or swelling. This is particularly true for those with sensitive skin or existing skin conditions.
Beyond skin irritation, there are broader health concerns related to polybutene. While it is generally considered safe for cosmetics, some research suggests it may interfere with hormone function. Specifically, some studies have indicated that polybutene may have oestrogenic activity, meaning it can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. This could potentially lead to hormonal imbalances, although more research is needed.

flexibility and durability of plastics, are also found in various cosmetic products, including eye makeup. They serve as solvents and fixatives, helping maintain the product’s colour and consistency.
However, their use in cosmetics has raised health concerns. In eye health, phthalates can cause irritation, leading to redness, itching, and watering of the eyes. They can also cause skin irritation, resulting in rashes, dryness, and in some cases, allergic reactions.
Beyond these immediate effects, phthalates have been associated with more severe health issues. They are known endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with the body’s hormonal system. This disruption can lead to various health problems, including reproductive issues and developmental problems in children exposed to these chemicals.
Furthermore, some studies suggest a potential link between phthalate exposure and certain types of cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings. Given these concerns, choosing phthalate-free eye makeup products is advisable whenever possible.

Talc is a common filler ingredient in eyeshadows. However, it may contain the known carcinogen asbestos and is best avoided in cosmetic products. Talc is a mineral used in cosmetics for its absorbent and anti-caking properties. It’s often found in eyeshadows and face powders. However, it’s been linked to respiratory issues when inhaled. There’s also been controversy over the potential contamination of talc with asbestos, a known carcinogen.

Dimethicone, a common ingredient in eyeliners, is a silicone-based polymer known for its smoothing properties. While generally considered safe, it can cause skin irritation in some individuals, leading to redness, itching, or dryness, particularly around the sensitive eye area. More concerning, emerging research suggests that dimethicone might interfere with our endocrine system. It’s thought that the compound could potentially disrupt hormonal balance through skin absorption. However, more studies are needed.

Mineral pigments are naturally derived and are often used in eye makeup. They are generally considered safe and are less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.

• Ferric Ferrocyanide is a synthetic inorganic pigment used in cosmetics for its blue colour. It’s considered safe for use in externally applied cosmetics, but it’s not approved for use in lip products in the US.
• Iron oxides are pigments derived from iron. They are used to give cosmetics their colour. Iron oxides are considered safe and non-irritating.
• Chromium Oxide Greens are inorganic compounds used in cosmetics for their green colour. They are considered safe for use in externally applied cosmetics, but they are not approved for use in lip products in the US.
• Ultramarines are pigments ranging from blue to green, pink, and violet. They are used to colour cosmetics. Ultramarines are considered safe for cosmetics not intended to come into contact with mucous membranes.
• Titanium dioxide is a mineral used as a pigment and a thickener. It’s also used for its UV filtering properties. While it’s generally considered safe, there’s some concern about potential health risks when used in nanoparticle form.

Silica is a mineral found in sand, rock, and mineral ores. In cosmetics, it’s used to improve the texture and spreadability of products. It’s generally considered safe, but inhaling silica powder can cause lung irritation.

Mica is a group of shiny silicate minerals. It’s used in cosmetics for its glittering effect. While mica itself is safe, mining mica has been associated with child labour and poor working conditions.