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  • Eye Health & Wellness

Safe Eye Makeup for Sensitive Eyes

  • Last updated November 21, 2022

7 min read

Danielle Stoken
Written byDanielle Stoken
Jovi Boparai, MD
Reviewed by Jovi Boparai, MD
Danielle Stoken
Danielle StokenEye Health & Wellness ContributorPittsburgh, PA

Bio

I was so excited when I learned about CorneaCare and am honored to share content, tips and stories about dry eye! I am a certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative nutrition so the intersection of nutrition/lifestyle and dry eye disease is one that I am particularly passionate about. Since recently becoming a mom, I care even more about my eye care and self-care and am learning so much through CorneaCare's educational resources.

Get to know me a little better!

Hobby: baking sourdough bread
Food: pasta
Superhero: my dad
Guilty pleasure: cold brew coffee (really, any coffee)
Secret power: serious facial recognition/recollection

Training:

Undergraduate: Carnegie Mellon University
Nutrition training: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Jovi Boparai, MD
Jovi Boparai, MDCo-founder & CEO of CorneaCarePhiladelphia, PA

Bio

Dry eye disease is tough! I get it. I have struggled with dry eyes for several years from contact lens use, and from spending countless hours looking at computer screens. In college, my dry eyes got so bad that I couldn’t wear contact lenses, because of a constant “foreign body sensation” when I had them in. I had to stop reading every 30 minutes because my eyes would start to burn and my vision would get blurry. I tried a plethora of treatments and nothing seemed to work. Dry eye disease was not only impacting my eyes, but also my emotional wellbeing. It was preventing me from enjoying life, and getting in the way of my professional training. I felt overwhelmed, frustrated and hopeless.

It was only when I realized that my dry eyes were linked to my lifestyle, environment and overall health did things start to make sense. I noticed that on days when I spent less time on the computer, my eyes felt better. My symptoms would flare when it was windy, or when there was low humidity. I knew that if I wanted to get ahead of my dry eyes, I needed to not only treat my eyes, but to also address my lifestyle. I started a consistent regimen of artificial tears and eyelid hygiene. I switched from monthly contact lenses to daily contact lenses. I started taking scheduled breaks from looking at a computer. I ate a healthier diet focused on anti-inflammatory/antioxidants foods, and I bought a humidifier for my room. In the beginning doing all this seemed impossible, but over time it became part of my usual routine. Not only did my eyes feel better, but I was overall healthier and happier! Turns out what is good for my eyes, was also good for my mind and body. I carried this lesson with me as I started my career to become an ophthalmologist and ophthalmic surgeon.

Because of my personal journey and professional training, I believe dry eye treatment starts by listening to and empowering the patient. I listen for the struggles and cue in on their strengths, while picking up on their lifestyle. Only then do we together start building a treatment plan that incorporates good eye hygiene with small, but impactful lifestyle changes. Our sight is our most important sense, and it is intimately linked to our very being. I want dry eye patients to not only get their dry eyes under control, but to also enjoy good mental and physical health, and live a fulfilling life. What is good for the eyes should also strengthen the mind and fortify the body!

Get to know me a little better!

Hobby: vintage watches
Food: peanut butter
Superhero: Superman
Guilty pleasure: desserts
Secret power: has never had a headache

Training:

Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh Honors College
Medical school: Weill Cornell Medicine
Ophthalmology residency: Wills Eye Hospital.

Safe eye makeup for sensitive eyes

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Table of Contents

Millions of people wear eye makeup every day. If you’re one of them, but also suffer from sensitive eye symptoms, it’s important to take good care of your eyes. Read on to learn more about using eye makeup for sensitive eyes like yours!

Key points

  • Choosing safe eye makeup for sensitive eyes is important to avoid eye discomfort.  
  • The ingredients in some eye makeup can cause irritation directly to the ocular surface, damage the meibomian glands, or cause eyelid inflammation.
  • If you already have eye symptoms, it may be best to start a good eyelid hygiene routine and find alternative makeup brands that contain safe ingredients for your eyes. 
You brush your teeth,
moisturize your skin,
what about your eyes?
Take the quiz
Eyecare Quiz on Cellphone

Taking the First Step

At CorneaCare, we believe that your eye health is just as important as your overall wellness. You eat well, practice good dental hygiene, have a skin care routine, exercise and avoid smoking.

But how often do you think about your eye health and wellness? After all, we use our eyes 24 hours a day, while awake and sleeping. 

Just like with your overall health, eye health starts from within by eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.  What you put on and around your eyes and eyelids affects your eye health as well.

If you have sensitive eyes due to dry eye disease, allergies, or other conditions, it is important to consider eye makeup built for sensitive eyes that won’t cause irritation. 

When your eyes don’t feel good, your mental, social and emotional health can suffer. The good news is, with lifestyle modifications, changes to the products you use, and good eyelid hygiene, you can take control of your eye health and enjoy the important things in life. 

Lifestyle Changes: balanced diet, working with the weather, taking regular breaks

How the Eyes Work to Keep You Comfortable

Eye makeup can cause irritation or damage directly to the ocular surface. It can damage the meibomian glands within your tear film, or cause eyelid inflammation. Before understanding the types of eye makeup for sensitive eyes, let’s review how the various parts of the eyes work together.

Good eye health allows you to feel comfortable, while poor eye health causes irritation or a state of dysfunction. 

The Ocular Surface

The ocular surface includes the cornea, tear film, the conjunctiva, and the eyelids. The ocular surface plays a vital role in protecting your eyes. In fact, it experiences the most frequent injuries and infections due to its exposure to the environment.¹ The ocular surface keeps your eyes comfortable and helps you see clearly.

Tear Film and Meibomian Glands

Your tear film sits on top of the cornea, and is made up of three unique layers:²

  • Mucin layer – the “glue” 
  • Aqueous layer – the “water”
  • Lipid layer – the “oil”
Tear film

The mucin layer is secreted by cells in your conjunctiva, the clear film that lines the white part of your eye. The aqueous layer comes from the lacrimal gland and is the largest layer. The lipid layer is made up of oils secreted from your meibomian glands. These glands line the eyelid margin. 

The mucin layer attaches to the cornea and the aqueous layer sits on top of the mucin layer. The lipid layer sits on the aqueous layer. All three of these layers work collectively to stabilize the tear film. 

The Eyelids

The eyelids protect the ocular surface from external hazards, and help with stabilizing your tear film. Several medical conditions can cause eyelid inflammation, including meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, dry eye disease, allergies, and contact lens wear.²

If your eyelids are not functioning properly, it can set off a cascade of problems to other parts of your eye. This can lead to sensitive, dry eyes. 

Key symptoms of dry eye disease

The common symptoms of sensitive eyes include burning, redness, dryness, itching, gritty sensation, pain, watery eyes and blurry vision. In addition to choosing safe eye makeup for sensitive eyes, adhering to an eyelid hygiene plan can improve meibomian gland function and reduce eyelid inflammation.

Types of Eye Makeup and Common Ingredients

Though it seems the beauty industry is evolving daily, there are still three common eye makeup products that most people use daily. These include mascara to coat the eyelashes, eyeliner to line the eyelid margins, and eyeshadow to add color. 

Mascara

Beauty companies advertise mascara as lengthening, volume-boosting, waterproof or long-wearing. While each brand and type of mascara will have its own specific ingredients, there are some common ingredients you’ll find in most tubes. 

Mascara is typically formulated with pigments to darken lashes and synthetic polymers to coat lashes. Waxes or oils such as mineral oil, paraffin, castor oil, petrolatum, lanolin, carnauba, and candelilla wax are used for thickening. Preservatives are added to extend shelf life and prevent infection.

Waterproof mascara formulas are typically made without water. This makes them less likely to smudge or flake, but usually require a special cleanser to remove.

Mascara formulated with emulsions of oil and water are easier on lashes but may not last as long during the day.³ Keep in mind that mascaras come into contact with both your lash line and your eyelid. Mascara should be applied carefully to avoid contact with your ocular surface.

Eyeliner

Whether you go for a dramatic cat-eye or a more natural look, eyeliners help bring attention to the eyes. The problem is that eyeliner application occurs right next to your eyelid margin. We’ve learned how important it is to keep this area safe, especially if you have sensitive eyes. Eyeliner can be applied with a pencil or as a liquid or cream with a brush or soft tip.  

Most eyeliners contain the same common ingredients: thickeners, pigments and film formers. Thickeners help the formula stick to your eyelid and are typically made with waxes, natural gums, and clays. Pigments create the eyeliner color and can be made from iron oxides, chromium oxide, titanium dioxide or ultramarine. Film formers help make application easier by depositing a thin layer of film on your skin.⁴  

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Eyeshadow

There seems to be a never-ending supply of eyeshadow palettes. You can choose matte colors or shimmers with glitter. However, for people with sensitive skin and eyes, the ingredients in eyeshadow can cause more issues. This is because of the small particles that make up eyeshadow and their proximity to the ocular surface.

All eyeshadows are made up of a base filler, binders, and waxes or oils.⁵ Talc or mica powder are the main fillers used in eyeshadows but some formulas use kaolin clay.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) warns that some talc powders contain asbestos, a carcinogen.⁶ This is concerning because of how tiny those particles are, and how easily they can get into your eye.

Binders are used to help the eyeshadow stick to your skin and are made up of zinc or magnesium. Some manufacturers include synthetic ingredients like nylon, silica, dimethicone, boron nitride or bismuth oxychloride so the powder will easily glide over the eyelid. Preservatives like glycol (alcohol) or tocopherol (vitamin E) are sometimes added to prevent bacteria from growing.

Liquid shadows often contain oils and waxes such as jojoba oil, castor oil, beeswax, shea butter or silicone. The eyeshadow tends to last longer because when the oils or waxes dry, they help it to bond to the skin.⁵

Best Makeup Products for Sensitive Eyes

If you suffer from sensitive eyes or a medical condition that causes sensitive eyes like dry eye disease, the best course may be to avoid eye makeup products until your condition improves. Also, consider starting a good eyelid hygiene routine and alternative makeup brands that contain safe ingredients for your eyes. 

If you try new products to see if it helps with your symptoms, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

Eyelid hygiene routine

When choosing the best makeup products for sensitive eyes, it’s best not to rely solely on advertising. Products are routinely marketed as “dermatologist-approved,” “hypoallergenic,” containing natural ingredients, “cruelty-free,” and touted to be vegan and gluten-free.

While some of these claims could be beneficial and true, the product may still contain ingredients that irritate sensitive eyes. 

Fragrance-free products and those made without parabens and phthalates are a good place to start in evaluating the best eye makeup for yourself.⁷ However, you should first take into account your skin type. You may also wish to consult your eye doctor (ophthalmologist and optometrist) or dermatologist for their recommendations. 

Some of the most popular eye makeup brands include Almay, Maybelline, Tarte Cosmetics, Bareminerals, Physicians Formula, and Clinique. We recommend visiting the EWG’s website to research these brands, and the current beauty products you use. Evaluate the ingredients they contain and their possible impact on your eyes and skin. 

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Perfect for sudden flare-ups of eye dryness, pain, burning, and swollen/inflamed eyelids. Free shipping 📦.

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Eye Makeup Tips for Sensitive Eyes

No matter the brand or type of eye makeup you choose to use, we recommend the following tips to keep your eyes safe. 

  1. Remove eye makeup completely before bed using warm water or a gentle makeup remover. Be careful not to touch your eyes and use a soft cloth or organic cotton pads. 
  2. Clean your makeup brushes daily with a gentle cleanser and let them dry completely. This will ensure that bacteria and mold do not grow in your brushes and cause infection. 
  3. Practice good eyelid hygiene. Eyelid hygiene typically includes warm compress and eyelid cleanliness. You can make your own warm compress or try our Rest Self Heating Warm Compresses. For cleaning your eyelids, you can either use baby shampoo and a towelette, or buy pre-moistened eyelid cleansing wipes like our Rise Eyelid Wipes.
  4. Use a cold compress on clean eyelids for an even more effective cooling effect for sensitive eyes. Our Hydrogel Cold Compresses are great to use after removing eye makeup
  5. Stop using any makeup products immediately if eye irritation or allergic reaction occurs. 
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Eyelid Hygiene Plan 3

Perfect for eye dryness, burning, itching, grittiness, crusting/flaking of eyelashes and inflamed/swollen eyelids. Free shipping 📦.

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Putting it all together

The beauty industry does a fantastic job at advertising its products. However, it is still a bit behind when it comes to safely formulating and designing products for people with sensitive eyes.

While there are eye makeup products that are safer for sensitive eyes, we suggest first understanding the cause of your eye sensitivity by consulting with your eye doctor or dermatologist. Then you can focus on finding eye makeup products that contain non-irritating ingredients.

Incorporating eyelid hygiene into your self-care and beauty routine will set the foundation for good eye health and wellness to preserve your eyesight and increase your daily comfort level. 

Want to take care of your eyes but not sure where to start?
Take the quiz
Eyecare Quiz Illustration of Quiz

What’s next

Want to learn more about eyelid hygiene? Take a look at this article and join our dry eye community to share your thoughts!

Bibliography

  1. Gipson, Ilene K. “The Ocular Surface: The Challenge to Enable and Protect Vision.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2886589/. Accessed 25 February 2022.
  2. Tsun, Trent, and Andrew A. Dahl. “Dry Eye Disease (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca): Practice Essentials, Background, Anatomy.” Medscape Reference, 3 January 2022, https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1210417-overview#a3. Accessed 25 February 2022.
  3. “Mascara Ingredients, Waterproof Mascara, History of Mascara, and More.” WebMD, 27 July 2010, https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/makeup-decoding-mascara. Accessed 25 February 2022.
  4. Goins, Liesa. “Eyeliner Ingredients, Applying Eyeliner, Types, and More.” WebMD, 26 November 2012, https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/makeup-decoding-eyeliner. Accessed 25 February 2022.
  5. Goins, Liesa. “The Makeup of Makeup: Decoding Eye Shadow.” WebMD, 15 November 2012, https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/decoding-eye-shadow. Accessed 25 February 2022.
  6. “EWG Skin Deep® | What is TALC.” EWG, https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/706427-TALC/. Accessed 25 February 2022.
  7. DiLonardo, Mary Jo. “Personal Care Products: Phthalates, Parabens, Formaldehyde and Other Ingredients.” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/children/features/personal-care-products. Accessed 25 February 2022.

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