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Not taking waterproof mascara off correctly can lead to serious eye issues, ocular surgeon warns
Waterproof mascara is a brilliant smudge-proof option to avoid that awkward panda look when you rub your eye, but it’s notoriously difficult to remove.
After scrubbing for ages to get the makeup product off, most people give up and go to bed with some remnants still on their lashes – but that can have disastrous consequences.
Dangers of not removing waterproof mascara
We spoke to eye surgeon Dr. Jovi Boparai, who told The Focus there are a whole host of possible health issues that comes from not removing your waterproof mascara properly.
“Waterproof mascara can impact the eyelids and the eyes if not removed properly, predisposing you to various ocular conditions, including meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, styes, dry eyes, eyelash loss and early aging,” he said.
Leaving mascara on for an extended period of time can also cause oil glands on the eyelid called meibomian glands to malfunction, resulting in eye dryness, burning, irritation, foreign body sensation and watery eyes.
These oil glands are responsible for protecting your tear film so you can see clearly and comfortably, and meibomian gland dysfunction can lead to styes, those painful red bumps that appear on the edge of your eyelid.
“Improper or delayed removal of waterproof mascara can also lead to inflammation of the eyelids, called blepharitis, which presents similar to meibomian gland dysfunction, but with additional eyelid redness and swelling,” Bopari continued.
That’s not all. If waterproof mascara isn’t removed properly, the particles can irritate the eyes’ mucous membranes too, leading to conjunctivitis. Also known as pink eye, the eye condition causes redness, swelling, discharge, itchiness and burning, MedlinePlus explains.
The stiffness of waterproof mascara can also injure the eyelash follicles, leading to eyelash loss trauma and loss. Plus, it can clog the eyelid pores, which disrupts the natural oils that protect the skin and leads to inflammation and aging around the eyes.
Hot to remove waterproof mascara properly
To avoid all of these complications, the eye surgeon recommends using an oil-based makeup remover to help break down and remove the waterproof formula.
“Soak a cotton pad or cotton ball with the oil-based makeup remover, and gently place it on your eyelashes to breakup the mascara,” he said. “Avoid rubbing it harshly to prevent the mascara from falling into the eyes and from breaking off eyelashes.”
After removing makeup from around the eyes and on the face, follow up with a cleanser to remove any residual makeup. Then, use a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and debris. Lastly, use a moisturizer to hydrate the skin.
“Proper removal of waterproof mascara is crucial to maintaining eye and skin health, preventing complications, and avoiding damage to eyelashes,” he concluded.
Dr. Jovi Boparai is an Ophthalmic Surgeon who gained his medical degree from Weill Medical College of Cornell University and finished his ophthalmic surgery residency at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. He founded CorneaCare, a company dedicated to increasing eye health awareness.
