Got Red Eyes? Start Here.

One of the most common questions I am asked every day is: "Why are my eyes so red?"  It turns out that having red eyes is very embarrassing to everyone, no matter your age or sex. My patients are always wanting to hide their red eyes so that no one will see them.  They worry about what others are thinking about them when their eyes are red.

 

I was very bothered by the same symptoms myself when I first started practicing optometry.  My eyes were red and irritated all the time.  We had just moved to the high desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The dry air there really gave my eyes a hard time.  I was so embarrassed every day at work when my eyes were red and irritated.

 

I thought to myself, "I wouldn’t see a dentist who had bad teeth.  Why would anyone see an eye doctor with red eyes?“  I wanted to have white, bright eyes that my patients noticed for their beauty, not for the redness.  I was very embarrassed.  

 

There had to be a way to make my eyes look normal again.  I started researching products that would help my eyes, as well as my patients.  One of the biggest causes of irritation I found was eye makeup. 

 

Over the years, I’ve spent hundreds of hours researching the best types of eye makeup to use and how to wear it.  There are four important things every woman should know about her eye makeup to keep her eyes looking white and bright.

 

 

First, know which types of eye makeup to use.  Not all brands are created equally, and even the most expensive brands can use harmful ingredients.  It is not enough to look for products labeled for sensitive eyes, or with a hypoallergenic label. It is more important to eliminate the ingredients we all know can be toxic to our ocular surface.  If you haven’t yet downloaded the list of ingredients to eliminate in your self-care products, please do.

 

Over the years, I have curated and a nice list of makeup that is safe to use for patients who have sensitive or dry eyes.  If you would like to see the eye doctor-approved list of eye makeup, you can check out my course, the CLEAN Makeup Manual.

 

 

Next, know how to apply the eye makeup. Do you know how to apply your eyeliner so that it doesn’t irritate your eyes?  One of the most fashionable ways to wear your eyeliner right now actually covers up the oil glands that keep your tears from drying out.  Yikes.  It's a recipe for disaster.  Especially, if you wear your eyeliner this way every day. 

 

Do you know the best mascara to use for your sensitive eyes?  Most of the brands on the market either flake off in your eye while you are wearing them.  Or, they contain waxes and parabens to keep them attached to your lashes.  Both of these are a bad idea for your dry or sensitive eyes.  Knowing the best products to use can be a game-changer in how you show up at work or your next party.  Again, the CLEAN Makeup Manual will spell this out for you.

 

Finally, know the best product to remove your eye make up.  Many makeup removers contain alcohol.  And, alcohol can be very irritating to the eyes.  Alcohol is a common ingredient in makeup remover wipes.

 

Another common ingredient in makeup removers is petroleum jelly.  This thick ingredient may be great for protecting your chapped hands, but it falls short when used on the eyes. 

 

In eye makeup removers petroleum jelly will clog the pores of your oil glands around your lids.  Over time, the clogged oil glands will stop working, atrophy, and die away.  Download the Ultimate Guide to Eye Makeup Removers here because your eyes deserve to work normally.

When your eyes are red and irritated, there are a few common culprits we must look into. One of the first things Ion my list is eye makeup usage.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked into a patient’s eye and seen loose powder particles and mascara flakes floating around on the front surface.

 

These particles rub up against the delicate surfaces of the eye all day long.  Over time, this causes damage and irritation.  Following these three best practices with your eye makeup will go along way to keeping your eyes white and bright.  Learn more about the best products and practices to use for your sensitive eyes with the CLEAN Makeup Manual.