Uncleaned Makeup is the Enemy of the Eyes!

Eye Diseases

Uncleaned Makeup is the Enemy of the Eyes!

Kudret Göz Hastanesi
27 January 2025

Not a day goes by that a new make-up product does not take its place on the shelves. On the one hand, colourful cosmetic products that offer different solutions at the same time in their stylish packaging… On the other hand, cleansers that stand ready to erase their traces at the end of the day… The team that comes out ahead in this struggle is obvious; because every woman goes to bed without removing her make-up at least once in her life. This bad habit, which paves the way for skin aging and acne problems, brings greater risks when it comes to eye make-up. We received information from Ophthalmology Specialist Ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek, one of the doctors of Kudret Eye Istanbul, on what kind of damage poorly cleaned make-up causes to the eyes and which points should be considered when choosing make-up materials.

Healthy Eye is Beautiful!

Kudret Eye Istanbul Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek; “Today’s people are fighting the biggest struggle against time. Within 24 hours, when basic needs such as what needs to be done, what wants to be done, sleeping, resting are tried to fit in, especially we women may not pay due attention to the issues related to themselves. One of the most common mistakes is to go to bed without removing eye make-up at the end of a tired day or to clean the make-up carelessly so as not to remove it completely. Uncleaned mascara, eyeliner, eyeliner can accelerate the formation of bacteria and viruses and cause blepharitis, that is, inflammation of the eyelash base. Eye infection, which we all know as stye, occurs with inflammation of the eyelash bases. Stye is an abscess filled with pus, which occurs with symptoms such as pain, redness, itching, stinging, swelling, watery eyes. As styes like unclean places, they also look for opportunities when the body resistance is low. It is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist without waiting for it to go away on its own. A stye that is not treated by a specialist physician is highly likely to reappear. Using outdated make-up products or using other people’s materials also invites infection and stye formation. In addition, going to bed without removing eye make-up has drawbacks in terms of aesthetics as well as health. For example, mascara residues damage the eyelashes, causing them to break and fall out. Remember, a healthy eye is beautiful. Always take time for yourself!”

How should eye make-up be removed?

Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek listed the things to be considered when removing eye make-up as follows:

Use products suitable for tear Ph.
Considering that the eyes and eye area are sensitive, cleanse with soft and gentle movements without pressing too hard and without irritating the skin.
Make sure that no product gets into the eye.
Clean your eyelids not from top to bottom, but from the eye fountains outwards.
Pay attention to the cleanliness of your make-up removal cotton. Instead of repeating the cleaning process by pouring plenty of cleanser on the same cotton, renew the cotton by pouring less product on the cotton.
Use separate cottons for each eye. Using the same cotton wool can cause an existing infection in one eye to infect the other eye.
Never forget the miraculous effect of water for our body and skin. After removing your make-up and after getting up in the morning, wash your face and dry it with a clean, soft towel or paper. Do not dry your face with the towel you dry your hands with. Let your towel be special for you, do not use other people’s towels.
If you wear contact lenses, clean your make-up after removing your lens.

Kudret Göz Istanbul Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Baylançiçek gave tips on the use of make-up materials:

Things to Consider in Eye Make-up for Eye Health:

Do not use other people’s make-up materials. Every person has different bacteria in their body. They may also have an eye infection or another disease. You can also share bacteria and infections with your make-up.
If an allergic reaction such as itching or redness occurs, stop using make-up and consult a specialist doctor.
Do not use the same products for a long time. Bacteria thrive in dark, damp places such as your mascara tube and make-up sponge. By using the same make-up materials for a long time, you invite bacteria. Change your products periodically.
Make sure that the safety band of the products you buy is not opened.
Check the expiry date of the product after opening. The packaging of the product indicates the expiry date in months after opening. You can make a note of the date you opened your product or create a reminder on your phone or computer for the expiry date.
Even if the expiry date of the product you are using has not expired, if there is a difference in the smell, colour or consistency of the product you are using, stop using it.- If you wear contact lenses, apply your make-up after wearing your contact lenses.
Pay attention to the cleanliness of your brushes and sponges.
Do not add water to your make-up materials for any reason such as thickening or increasing the consistency. This may cause bacterial growth.
Wash your hands and face before you start applying make-up. Various powders and germs may be lodged on your skin. These uninvited guests can accidentally get into your eyes. Washing your hands and face will ensure that your skin is free of most germs.
Do not apply eye make-up while the vehicle is in motion. You can easily lose control of your hand with sudden manoeuvres caused by various reasons such as bumps, potholes and brakes. You may injure your eye, eyelid or its surroundings and cause accidents.
Do not wear make-up when you have an eye infection. Change your make-up after you have recovered. Your products may be contaminated with the germs that cause eye infections. Continuing to use the same materials puts you at risk of a recurrence of the infection.
Do your make-up carefully, no matter how much of a hurry you are in. Materials such as eyeliner, mascara, eyelash curler can pose an accident risk for your eyes if combined with carelessness.