Certain makeup products, such as those containing preservatives, can irritate your eyes. You also want to use clean brushes and remove all makeup before going to sleep.
When you have dry eyes, all you want is to make your eyes feel more comfortable. You may be considering talking to a doctor about prescription eye drops, special ointments, or even surgery to close your tear ducts.
But did you know that your makeup habits may be making your dry eyes worse? Before seeking treatment, you might want to first try changing your makeup habits.
Items that come in close contact with your eyes, such as mascara and eyeliner, may contaminate your eyes and make your symptoms worse.
Keep reading to learn more about makeup products to choose and to avoid, as well as healthy eye recommendations for applying and removing eye makeup.
What typically causes dry eye?
Dry eye is a condition in which your eyes are unable to produce adequate tears to keep your eye moist. Your tears may be evaporating too fast, leaving your eyes dry and scratchy. Or your tears may not have the correct balance of oil, water, and mucus to be effective.
There are many reasons why dry eyes occur. Sometimes it’s because your body is aging. Other times it’s because of an underlying medical condition like rheumatoid arthritis or a thyroid problem.
Certain makeup products can irritate your eyes. Here are tips for choosing the best products for dry eyes:
- Use thickening mascara since it’s less likely to flake after it dries.
- Use creamy eye shadow rather than powder eye shadow (to avoid particles falling into your eyes).
- Use an eyelash curler instead of mascara.
When you have dry eyes, there are some makeup products that you should avoid, such as:
- old mascara that crumbles when it dries (all eye makeup should be discarded after 3 months)
- makeup removers that have oil or parabens
- powder-based and liquid-based products, including eye shadows and foundations
- products that contain fragrance
Many eye makeup products come in contact with the membrane covering your eyeball, called the cornea and conjunctiva. The cornea, which covers your iris, and the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of your eye, are covered by tear film.
Studies suggest that where you apply eye makeup can make a difference. One experiment involved measuring the volume of glitter particles in subjects’ tears when using eyeliner. Those who applied the liner on the inner part of the lash line experienced a higher volume of particles in their tear film than those who applied it outside of the lash line.
The researchers suggested that the movement of makeup particles into the tear film could make eye irritation and dry eyes worse.
For instance, if you use mascara that crumbles when it dries, you’ll get particles in your tear film. If you apply powder close to the bottom of your eye, you increase the risk of particles moving up into your eye. Powder eye shadows can also expose your eyes to more loose particles.
The bottom line is that eye makeup can thin out your tear film. This causes tears to evaporate more quickly. In fact, some people get dry eyes because of eye makeup.
Although eye makeup can cause problems with dry eyes, there are ways to apply it to minimize particle transfer. Here are some tips:
- Insert lubricating eye drops about 30 minutes before applying makeup.
- Use separate applicators for each type of makeup.
- Always apply eye makeup outside of your eyelashes (don’t line the inner rim of your eyelids)
- Apply mascara to just the tip of the eyelashes.
- Keep mascara use to a minimum.
- Use makeup on other areas of your face instead of the eyes.
- Sharpen eye pencils before each use.
Makeup removal
You should also take care when removing makeup. Healthy eye-makeup practices include:
- Always take off eye makeup before you go to sleep.
- Wash makeup brushes on a regular basis.
- Don’t use makeup when you have an eye infection.
You may be tempted to try eyelash extensions or have your eyeliner tattooed on to avoid using makeup. However, these methods can also contribute to dry eyes in different ways.
Eyelash extensions can collect debris and aggravate blepharitis, which often occurs with dry eye. Some eyelash glues also contain formaldehyde, which is toxic to the surface of your eyes and can dry them out.
Eyeliner tattoo can also make dry eyes worse. They have been found to cause meibomian gland dysfunction, a huge contributor to dry eyes.
What makeup can I wear with dry eyes?
Look for products that don’t contain preservatives like benzalkonium chloride (BAK), formaldehyde, or paraben. These ingredients can irritate the eyelash glands that keep your eyes lubricated.
Also avoid eye shadow that contains loose powder or glitter that can fall into your eyes. Instead, use creamy eye shadow and thickening mascara since they’re less likely to flake.
You can also try using an eyelash curler instead of mascara. And always look for products that are fragrance free as certain fragrances can irritate your eyes.
What mascara can I use for dry eyes?
Look for hypoallergenic, thickening mascaras that don’t contain preservatives like benzalkonium chloride (BAK), formaldehyde, or paraben.
You should also wash your make-up brushes on a regular basis, and don’t apply eye makeup if you have an eye infection.
Which eyeshadow is best for dry eyes?
Look for creamy eyeshadow instead of powder eyeshadows or those containing glitter. Also try to find makeup that’s hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist-tested for sensitive eyes.
How do you apply eye makeup for dry eyes?
If you have dry eye, try applying lubricating eye drops to your eyes about 30 minutes before applying eye makeup. Also, be sure to apply eye liner only on the outside of your eyelashes, never on the rim of your eyelids.
In addition, make sure you application brushes are clean and you’re only using hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist-tested products.
Other makeup tips for dry eyes include: always take off your eye (and face) makeup before you sleep, wash your makeup brushes on a regular basis, and don’t use makeup when you have an eye infection.
The best way to be sure eye makeup doesn’t irritate your eyes is to avoid wearing any. If you have severe or chronic dry eye, eye makeup may not be for you.
However, with the right hygiene, application, products, and nightly removal, you may be able to keep wearing it.