Makeup trends will come and go, but maintaining eye health should be a constant, says Monica Ertel, MD, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
“The purpose of our lashes and eyelids is to protect our ocular surface, and so when we’re wearing makeup or using beauty products near the eye, it can take away our body’s natural defense mechanism,” she says. “It’s important to be mindful about cosmetic ingredients and practice good hygiene to keep the eyes as healthy as possible.”
Various ingredients and application techniques can cause ocular irritation and sometimes even more serious problems, such as infection or scratches on the ocular surface. The skin around the eye is also particularly thin, which can more easily absorb many ingredients that may contribute to reactions or discomfort.
Ertel discusses some of the most common cases she sees involving cosmetics and ways to prevent everchanging beauty trends from messing with your eyes.