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The 3 Worst Things you do with your Mascara

Sep 04, 2019
 
As an eye doctor, I get up close and personal with women's eye makeup every day.  I routinely use a microscope to examine the eye.  This can make the eyelashes about 20 times bigger than the way you see them in a regular mirror.
 
The horrors I see on people's eyelids are incredible.  Makeup caked up into the lashes and in the corner of the eye is only the tip of the iceberg.  That built-up gunk leads to inflammation, irritation, and infection over time.
 
Here are the three biggest beauty blunders I see women committing with their mascara:

1. Sleeping with it

Not removing your eye makeup at the end of the day is one of the worst things you can do for your sensitive eyes.  After all, you wouldn't go to bed without brushing your teeth, right?  The same risk of cavities applies to the eyes as well, except they are called ulcers. 
 
The leftover mascara becomes the perfect habitat for bacteria to flourish.  There are bacteria that normally live on our lids and lashes and are needed for normal function.  However, when that bacteria gets overpopulated, we begin to see problems like Blepharitis. 
 
Let’s face it, most of the eye make up that you can purchase at the drugstore is full of toxins. Chemicals are used in eye makeup to help with the colors and creams stick to your lids.  However, lots of these ingredients are actually toxic to your lids. 
 
If you have not already done so, download the guide to eye makeup remover here.
 
My personal favorite eye makeup remover is the Eye Makeup Remover Oil from We Love Eyes.

2. Using Waterproof Mascara

 
Waterproof mascara generally contains waxes, which help me mascara stick to your lashes.  These ingredients also help bacteria to stick to your lashes. Having bacteria close to our eyes causes many problems.
 
Ethanolamines, also known as, MEA, DEA, and TEA, are used as pH adjusters.  These are linked to allergies, skin toxicity, and hormone disruption. Download the list of toxic ingredients to avoid in your personal care products here.
 
Also, in order to remove waterproof mascara from eyelashes, extra rubbing is required.  Rubbing your eyelids can cause additional problems with changing the shape of your corneas.  This can lead to an eye disease called keratoconus. This disease can cause significant problems with your eyesight in the longer run. 
 
It is important to gently remove our eye make up every night. You should not need to scrub it in order to get all the traces of mascara off of your lips.  If you feel you are needed to really scrub at your eye makeup to remove it, look for an oil-based eye makeup remover in the Guide to Makeup removers here.

3. Not Discarding your Mascara On-time

Mascara should be discarded at least every three months.  Keeping your mascara longer allows bacteria to grow inside the tube.  Bacteria normally live on your lids and lashes.  After you swipe your mascara on your lashes, you place the wand back in the tube.  Now, the bacteria have the opportunity to take up housing in your mascara tube. 
 
When bacteria take up residence on your lids, they create crusty homes to protect themselves.  These crusts form at the base of the eyelash on your eyelid.  This is also known as Blepharitis.
 
Waste products and excretions from the bacteria are toxic to your eyelids and the front surface of your eyes. Your eyelids become red and irritated. Over time, this irritation will lead to a thickening of the eyelid margin.
 
My favorite mascara is hands-down the Volumizing mascara from Beautycounter.  Other dry eye experts, like the founder of We Love Eyes, Dr. Tanya Gill, love Lily Lolo Black Vegan Mascara.
 

Conclusion

 
Your eye makeup could be the route cause of many of your dry eye symptoms.  Redness, watering, and irritation are common symptoms in women who do not properly care for their mascara.  Three of the best tips to remember with mascara are: always remove it before bed, do not use water-proof brands, and throw out your mascara every 3 months.  
 
Keeping your makeup routine clean is imperative to keeping your eyes healthy.  Remove your makeup nightly by using the best eye makeup remover for your lifestyle.  Get the guide here.
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