The intersection of beauty and eye health was the focus of a recent WO Voices podcast featuring Amy Gallant Sullivan, creator of the Eyes Are the Story optocosmetics brand and executive director at the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS), and Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, an internationally recognized expert in eye care. The conversation explores the importance of eye-safe cosmetics and provides practical advice for integrating this knowledge into clinical and everyday settings.
EYE-SAFE COSMETICS AND SKIN CARE
Sullivan emphasizes that cosmetics include more than makeup. They encompass all products applied to the skin, including face washes and eye creams. She stresses the need for eye-safe options, as many mainstream products can harm the ocular surface. That’s particularly true for those with sensitive eyes or pre-existing conditions. Notably, the TFOS Lifestyle Report highlights specific ingredients to avoid, such as tea tree oil and essential oils. Both can exacerbate ocular irritation.
A streamlined version of the products to avoid is posted on the eyesarethestory.com blog post – Top 10 Makeup Nasties.
For makeup removal, Sullivan advises against waterproof products. These often require harsh chemicals to remove. She recommends gentle methods, including using lid hygiene treatments prescribed by eye care professionals, followed by hypoallergenic face washes and hypochlorous acid sprays to minimize microbial contamination.
REPLACING PRODUCTS
Both reiterate the importance of replacing eye cosmetics regularly to maintain ocular health and reduce the risk of infections. They provide specific timelines for replacing commonly used products.
Mascara should be replaced every month. Its moist, enclosed environment makes it particularly susceptible to bacterial growth, which can increase the risk of irritation or infections such as conjunctivitis.
Liquid eyeliner should be replaced every three months. The applicator’s proximity to the eye and its repeated exposure to the product’s liquid formula make it a potential source of contamination over time.
Eyeshadow, depending on its formulation, should be replaced about every six months. It’s also important to clean brushes used to apply makeup. Sullivan recommends cleaning them with eye-safe facial cleanser and then spraying the brush with hypochlorous spray.
PATIENT EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
Dr. Barnett shares how she integrates conversations about cosmetics into her patient consultations, noting that many patients are unaware of the connection between beauty products and eye health. She often begins by asking if patients are open to recommendations, finding many are eager for guidance.
For contact lens wearers, she advises placing lenses before makeup application and removing them before makeup removal to prevent contamination and infections. If makeup gets on the contact lens surface, Dr. Barnett recommends multipurpose solution and gentle rubbing. “Do not use soap and water or tap water,” she stresses.
She highlights alarming statistics: studies show that 79% of used mascaras test positive for staphylococcus, and 13% contain Pseudomonas. She warns against sharing products, noting that she saw the most severe case of conjunctivitis in her career on November 1 this year, linked to shared makeup during Halloween.
Cosmetics and skin care products may be in high demand during the holiday season, but it’s an important topic every day. By raising awareness and providing practical tools, eye care professionals can help protect their patients’ vision and ocular health—one beauty product at a time.
Read more on the WO Beauty channel.
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