Makeup Needn’t Worsen Your Dry Eye

Some women wear face and eye makeup because they like the way it looks, while others want to but can’t because the cosmetics irritate their dry eyes. But fear not: If you have dry eye, you can still doll yourself up with skin foundation and eye makeup. 

The office of Columbia Office boasts a team of highly skilled and qualified specialists who are authorities in optometry. Their expertise allows them to accurately assess and address various vision-related issues to ensure the highest level of care for our patients.

Mascara, eye shadow and eyeliner can make your dry eye worse by clogging the tiny oil glands (called meibomian glands) that make the oil for your tears and line the edges of the eyelids near the eyelashes. Your eyes are especially susceptible if you wear eyeliner on the inside of your lash line or use shadow that includes glitter. 

Take a look at these suggestions. 

Use eyeshadow and skin foundation that are in cream form. No matter how carefully you apply it, powder eyeshadow and foundation tend to fly around your face and aggravate your eyes. Hypoallergenic makeup is your best bet. Go with makeup that’s low in water. Most liquid-based makeups have preservatives that can irritate your peepers.

Most women’s makeup routine includes mascara. Steer clear of waterproof mascara, as well as those that have a basecoat and topcoat. Non-water soluble mascara can be a real chore to remove and flake into your eyes. Makeup remover can also spread over the surface of your eye and adversely affect the way your tear film works.

Remove your makeup at the end of each day. Not doing so can clog your meibomian glands and tear ducts, and mascara and foundation can easily smear into your eyes and onto your pillow. 

If makeup continues to aggravate your eyes, give your face a glow by focusing on your lips, cheeks and eyebrows. 

Oily makeup remover can spread over the surface of your eye and adversely affect the way your tear film works. Use a product that’s free of oil and parabens. (Avoid mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate and diazolidinyl urea.) Water-soluble makeup can be removed easily with a gentle soap facewash. Rinse well with water. 

Columbia Office offers a wide range of services that meet the diverse needs of our patients. They include routine eye exams, contact lens fittings, vision therapy, a wide selection of eyeglass frames, and treatment of eye conditions. Please call us today for an appointment.