Key Takeaways
- Old makeup can harbour bacteria that lead to eye infections like styes, conjunctivitis, and blepharitis.
- Mascara and eyeliner should be replaced every 3 to 4 months.
- Simple habits like washing your hands and removing makeup before bed can reduce your risk.
- Symptoms lasting more than a day or two are worth getting checked by a Saskatoon optometrist.
Don’t Apply Old Makeup
You reach for your favourite mascara without a second thought. It’s been sitting in your drawer for a while, but it still seems fine. The truth is, what you can’t see inside that tube may be doing more harm than you’d expect. At Broadway Eyecare, we see this kind of preventable irritation regularly.
Yes, old makeup can lead to eye infections, and it happens more often than most people realize. Bacteria build up in your cosmetics over time, and applying them near your eyes creates a direct path for irritation and infection. If your eyes have been feeling off lately, your makeup routine may be worth a second look before anything else, especially if you’re noticing eyelid discomfort or swelling.
How Old Makeup Leads to Eye Infections
Every time you apply mascara or eyeliner, bacteria from your lashes and skin transfer onto the brush or wand. That contact happens immediately, right from the first use.
From there, your makeup container becomes the problem. Dark, moist environments like the inside of a mascara tube are exactly where bacteria thrive. Older products also lose the preservatives that help keep bacterial growth in check. Over months, what started as a small amount of bacteria becomes a much larger one, sitting right next to your eye with every application.
The same principle applies to contact lens wearers. If you’re using old makeup while also wearing lenses, you’re doubling the surface area that bacteria can reach. Expired contact lenses carry similar risks, so it’s worth reviewing both your makeup and your lens supplies at the same time.
Signs Your Eyes May Be Reacting to Makeup
Common Symptoms to Watch For
Your eyes are good at signalling when something is off. If you notice any of the following after wearing eye makeup, it may be worth paying attention to:
- Redness, swelling, or discharge around the eye
- Itching, burning, or sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision or watery eyes
Types of Infections Linked to Makeup
A few conditions are commonly connected to makeup use.
- Styes: tender, painful bumps along the eyelid edge
- Conjunctivitis: pink, irritated, watery eyes
- Blepharitis: red, swollen lids with crusty buildup along the lashes
Each of these conditions can range from mildly uncomfortable to genuinely disruptive to your daily routine. A stye, for example, can make it hard to open your eye fully or wear contact lenses.
How Long Eye Makeup Actually Lasts
Most people keep makeup far longer than they should. The general rule, however, is straightforward.
Mascara and eyeliner should be replaced every 3 to 4 months. If your mascara has dried out before that point, toss it anyway. Dried-out formula is a sign the product has changed, and that change usually means that the preservatives are gone too.
Products that have been sitting unused for several months aren’t safer just because you haven’t opened them often. Once a product has been exposed to air and touched with an applicator, the clock starts. Keeping a note on your phone or writing the date that you opened your makeup on the package itself can help take the guesswork out of the process.
Simple Habits That Protect Your Eyes
Before and After Application
A couple of small habits go a long way when it comes to keeping your eyes healthy.
- Wash your hands before touching any eye makeup or applicators
- Remove all makeup fully before going to bed
Sleeping in eye makeup is one of the most common ways irritation starts, as it gives bacteria extra hours of contact with the surface of your eye.
What to Skip Altogether
Some habits carry more risk than others and are worth avoiding entirely.
- Never share brushes, liners, or applicators with anyone else
- Avoid glitter or metallic eye makeup, as small particles can irritate or scratch the surface of your eye.
- Skip applying eyeliner inside the lash line, which sits directly against the eye
When to See a Saskatoon Optometrist
Some eye irritation clears up on its own once you stop using the product in question. But there are times when a closer look matters.
If your symptoms stick around for more than a day or two, it’s a good idea to get your eyes checked. Pain, changes to your vision, and unusual discharge are also signs of a potentially more serious issue. A comprehensive eye exam can help identify what’s going on.
At Broadway Eyecare, our team is here to help with everything from routine eye exams to dry eye therapy and specialty eye care services. If something doesn’t feel right with your eyes, don’t wait it out. Book an appointment at a trusted vision clinic in Saskatoon and get answers the answers you need to feel better.
