There are many nights when taking off makeup feels like an exhausting challenge, especially when you are drowsy and sleepy. You put off cleaning your face because removing makeup feels like a bigger task than surviving the day itself. The eye product really gets into the corners of the eyes, and you just give up. Then you shrug and wonder, what can go wrong if you skip it for one night? After all, it is just makeup.
But did you know that mascara, eyeliner, kajal, and eyeshadow can severely irritate the eyes? A simple hygiene step that would have taken just a minute or two can later translate into discomfort, anxiety, a doctor’s visit and medical bills.
Let’s hear from an expert on the possible repercussions of this simple habit mishap. Sharing with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rani Menon, senior cataract and glaucoma surgeon at Dr Rani Menon Maxivision Eye Hospitals, revealed that sleeping in eye makeup can become a major health risk.
Citing a study published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, she said that improper use of eye cosmetics, especially failing to remove them at night, can adversely impact eye health, increasing inflammatory markers by up to 40 per cent.
But what about one night? How much harm can it really do? To which, she added, “One night may not cause major harm, but making it a habit can put unnecessary pressure on one of the most sensitive areas of the face.”
And habit begins with the ‘just this once attitude.’
“Sleeping in eye makeup is not just a cosmetic mistake; it can compromise the eye’s natural defence system overnight. Mascara and eyeliner particles can settle along the lash line, block the tiny oil glands that keep the eyes lubricated and create an environment where bacteria can thrive,” Dr Menon described what the ingredients of eye products do to your eyes. She also expressed concerns that patients often ignore early signs when actually they should be seeking prompt medical attention.
The surgeon shared a brief advisory guide, consisting of 5 alarming infection signs after you have slept in your eye makeup and how to adequately clean your eye makeup; then you should consult a doctor:
Alarming signs
1. Redness that does not settle
- Mild redness after a late night may seem harmless, but redness that lingers can signal irritation or inflammation.
- Makeup residue can aggravate the surface of the eyelid margins, especially if particles have entered the eye while you slept.
- Redness with pain, swelling, discharge or change in vision should not be ignored.
2. Burning, itching or a gritty feeling
- If you wake up with burning, itchy eyes or with a sensation of sand trapped inside, it could mean that makeup particles are irritating the surface of the eye.
- Glitter, mascara flakes and dried eyeliner can be particularly disruptive.
- Rubbing or scratching your eyes pushes the debris deeper into the eye area and makes the problem worse.
3. Swollen or tender eyelids
- Sleeping with makeup on can clog the oil glands around the eyes. This can cause puffiness, tenderness, or a heavy feeling on the lash line.
- Poor eyelid hygiene can sometimes cause inflammation such as blepharitis, which can cause red, swollen, itchy eyelids and crusting around the lashes.
4. Crusting, stickiness or discharge
- If you wake up with your eyelashes glued together or see yellow, green, or sticky discharge, do not dismiss it as normal sleep debris.
- Discharge is a warning sign of an eye infection.
- If you continue to use the same mascara, eyeliner, or brushes, you may be at risk for recontamination.
- Better to stop using eye makeup until the area has healed and replace the products used around the time symptoms began.
5. Eye pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision
- Eye pain, light sensitivity, or blurred vision can be a sign of something more serious than simple irritation. These are symptoms of warning.
- Ignoring them can lead to worsening of makeup particles, scratches, infections, or problems with your contact lenses.
Protection tips
- Remove eye makeup every night, no exceptions.
- Use a gentle makeup remover designed for the eye area and avoid aggressive rubbing.
- Keep your eye products and tools clean and do not share makeup. Replace mascara often and never add water to dried-out mascara.
- If an eye product irritates you, consult a healthcare professional.
