Watch out for the eye cosmetics you use

Eye cosmetics are usually safe when you buy them, but misusing them can allow dangerous bacteria or fungi to grow in them. Then, when applied to the eye area, a cosmetic can cause an infection. In rare cases, a number women have been temporarily or permanently blinded by an infection from an eye cosmetic.

It is therefore important to follow instructions that cosmetics come with. You also need to be careful about the risk of infection, injury from the applicator, and use of unapproved color additives.

Eye Cosmetic Safety Tips

Keep it clean– eye cosmetics are usually safe to use when they are new and maintaining the shape and state they came in might guarantee safety to your eyes because they have not contaminated anything that might irritate or cause an infection to your eyes. And if you are supposed to dispose them after a certain term of use, do so and get a new set of that kind of accessory.

Don’t share, Don’t swap– sharing cosmetics helps germs move between (among) you and the person(s) you are sharing with. The risk of contamination may be even greater with testers at retail stores, where a number of people are using the same sample product. If you feel you must sample cosmetics at a store, make sure they are applied with single-use applicators, such as cotton swabs.

Hold still– resist the temptation of applying make up while in a hurry, whether in a car or a bus. If you hit a bump, come to a sudden stop, or are hit by another vehicle, you risk injuring your eye (scratching your cornea, for example) with mascara wand or other applicator. Even a slight scratch can result in a serious infection.

What’s the shade you’re wearing– the use of color additives is strictly regulated in some parts of the world. A number of color additives approved for cosmetic use in general are not approved for use in the area of the eye. An import alert for cosmetics containing illegal colors lists several eye cosmetics.

Eyelashes

Dyeing your eyelashes– permanent eyelash and eyebrow tints and dyes have been known to cause serious eye injuries and infections, leading to blindness. There are no color additives approved for permanent dyeing or tinting of eyelashes and eyebrows.

False eyelashes and extensions– these, with their adhesives are considered to be cosmetic products, and as such they must adhere to the safety and labeling requirements for cosmetics. False eyelashes and extensions require adhesives to hold them in place. Keep in mind that eyelids are delicate, and an allergic reaction, irritation, or other injury in the eye area can be particularly troublesome. Check the ingredients before using these adhesives.

If you have a bad reaction or irritation to eye cosmetics, first contact your healthcare provider and stop using that cosmetic with immediate effect. Be aware that there are bacteria on your hands that, if placed in the eye, could cause infections. Wash your hands before applying eye cosmetic.