#236: Eye Makeup Tips for Women Over 40
May 27, 2025
The Best Eye Makeup Tips for Women Over 40... Without Harming Your Eyes
If you’re over 40 and still love to wear eye makeup (like I do!), I want to share some tips that will keep your eyes looking and feeling great. Your eye should not irritated or inflamed by the end of the day just because you are wearing eye makeup.
Why I Switched to Clean Makeup in My 40s
Several years ago, my eyes felt red, irritated and watery. My makeup would run down my cheeks in the afternoons, and I would wake up with red, puffy eyes. I was so embarrassed, I didn't want anyone to see my eyes, especially at work.
I started paying much closer attention to what I was putting on my eyes. I considered how my cosmetic choices were affecting my eye health. That’s when I made the decision to switch to clean makeup products. Clean products are ones with formulas that are free from harmful toxins, preservatives, and inflammatory chemicals.
These toxic ingredients don’t just affect your skin. They can do serious damage to your eyes. Often cosmetic manufacturers include these ingredients to increase the shelf life of the products. Or, the ingredient may help the cosmetic to be applied more smoothly and increase the ability to stay on the skin for longer periods of time.
๐งช What Harmful Makeup Ingredients Can Do to Your Eyes
Toxic ingredients in eye makeup (such as parabens, phthalates, and certain preservatives) can:
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Inflame your eyelids and delicate eye area
This can lead to redness, swelling, and discomfort. -
Trigger dry eye and irritationThese toxins disrupt the natural tear film, leaving your eyes feeling gritty and dry.
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Damage the meibomian glands
These tiny glands which reside inside your eyelids produce the oil that keeps your tears stable. When they get clogged or injured by toxins or makeup debris, it can lead to chronic dry eye.
My Favorite Clean Eyeshadow: Twenty / Twenty Beauty
One of my favorite clean brands is Twenty / Twenty Beauty. Their eyeshadow sticks glide on like a crayon and come in a variety of gorgeous colors. Because they’re not powders, they don’t flake off into your eyes later in the day, which helps prevent irritation.
Want to Know What to Avoid?
๐ฅ Download My Free PDF: “Top Toxins in Eye Makeup to Avoid”
This quick, printable guide includes:
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The most common harmful ingredients in eye makeup
Final Thoughts
Makeup should make you feel confident, not uncomfortable. Switching to clean, eye-safe products is one of the best things you can do to protect your vision and keep your eyes looking bright and youthful. Download the list of key toxins to avoid in your makeup products.
