The 5 make-up mistakes that could leave you with blurry vision and sticky discharge – or even blind
SLAPPING on a bit of concealer and mascara helps many of us feel more confident.
But how and where we apply our make-up can have “dire” health consequences – particularly for our eyes, experts warn.
Not only can we end up with blurry vision and crusty or sticky discharge, we also risk losing our eye sight altogether.
Nimmi Mistry, an optician at Vision Direct, said: “The make-up habits many of us are guilty of could lead to sight loss.”
From sleeping in mascara to sharing eyeliner with your pals, the eye expert reveals the five most common mistakes – and what can happen if you keep doing them.
1. Doing your make-up on the go
“Applying make-up on the train, bus or Tube is common practice for many,” Nimmi said.
“For some, it is a way to transition from day to night to go out, while for others it is a chance to save time on the morning commute.
“However, this seemingly innocent act could have dire consequences for your eyesight.”
A recent study swabbed London Tube lines to reveal the bacteria lurking on the seats and handrails, and the results were grim.
Researchers discovered that seats on the Victoria Line housed “exceptionally high” levels of E. coli – 160,000 colony-forming units (CFUs).
While on the Metropolitan Line, there were traces of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (400 CFU), Faecal Streptococci, and enterococci on the seats (960 CFU) and poles (80 CFU).
Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also found on an Oxford Circus escalator handrail (720 CFU), Northern Line seats (200 CFU) and Waterloo & City Line poles (40 CFU).
But what impact can these bacteria have on the eyes?
Nimmi said: “Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that can cause severe eye infections, particularly in individuals who wear contact lenses or are immunocompromised.
“This bacterium can cause inflammation of the cornea, a condition commonly known as microbial keratitis (MK).”
Symptoms of this type of infection include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Blurry vision
- Photophobia (sensitivity to or fear of light)
- Ulceration (wound-like sores)
“The impact of this type of bacteria can be sight-threatening,” Nimmi added.
Streptococci, most known to cause eye infections, and E. coli, more commonly found in the gut, can be just as dangerous, she added.
Both can cause conjunctivitis – an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and eyeball. Symptoms include:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Burning sensation
- Gritty feeling
- Discharge, or pus that sticks to the lashes
- Crusting of the eyelids
- Watery eyes
“Conjunctivitis is mostly self-limiting, meaning it will resolve independently,” Nimmi said.
“However, sufferers of bacterial conjunctivitis may need to resort to antibiotic eye drops if symptoms persist.
“In more severe cases, especially when the cornea is compromised due to injury or trauma (such as an abrasion or scratch), E. coli and streptococci can cause corneal infections, including ulcers.
“This can result in significant pain, blurred vision, and potential scarring of the cornea.”
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical advice to prevent any long-term complications, she added.
2. Going to bed with your make-up on
We’ve all been there. After a long day – or boozy night out – your head hits the pillow without giving your face a good scrub.
Every now and then, it’s likely harmless, but doing so regularly can allow make-up “debris” to make its way into the eyes.
“This can lead to the cornea getting scratched, and rubbing your eyes in the morning can only make matters worse,” Nimmi said.
“Once you have a corneal abrasion, bacteria and fungi can more easily infiltrate the eye, leading to infectious keratitis.
“If this isn’t treated promptly, these infections can encourage the growth of blood vessels in the cornea, leading to scarring.
“And untreated keratitis can lead to possible blindness.”
Researchers, whose work was published in the journal Diagnosis and Management of Eye Infections last year, estimate that infectious keratitis is among the top five leading causes of blindness globally.
“Other issues that may occur from sleeping in your make-up include the development of styes and chalazions,” Nimmi said.
Not cleaning your beauty blenders or make-up brushes may prevent your eyes from opening in the morning
Nimmi Mistry
A stye is a tiny bump on the edge of the eyelid margin, commonly caused by a bacterial infection, such as blepharitis – which affects the eyelids and lashes.
They tend to come on suddenly and be painful, but usually clear within about a week.
A chalazion is a swelling of the oil-producing gland, known as the meibomian gland.
These red bumps usually appear further back on the eyelid than styes and aren’t normally too painful.
“Eyeliner can potentially block the meibomian glands, increasing your chances of developing chalazions and styes,” Nimmi said.
“Therefore, you must make sure to remove all make-up carefully, and use products that are eye friendly.”
3. Not cleaning brushes and applicators
In 2020, scientists found that the bacteria staphylococcus aureus was present in beauty blenders and make-up brushes.
They said: “Ninety-three per cent of beauty blenders had not been cleaned and 64 per cent had been dropped on the floor and continued to be used.
“Significant levels of microbial contamination occur during use of cosmetic products and presence of pathogenic organisms pose a potential risk to health.”
According to Nimmi, staphylococcus aureus is a “major pathogen” that can infect the tear duct, eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior and posterior chambers, and the vitreous chamber.
“This can lead to bacterial conjunctivitis, which can cause yellow or green sticky discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night,” she added.
“This may prevent your eyes from opening in the morning.
“To kill any harmful bacteria that lingers in your make-up brushes and prevent these issues, it’s a good idea to wash your brushes every seven to 10 days.”
How long does make-up last?
JUST like food and drink, make-up products carry expiration dates.
And keeping products beyond these dates can lead to skin irritation or infections, experts warn.
Foundation and concealer
“Water-based foundations and concealers will last up to 12 months, whereas oil-based concealers can last up to 18 months as oil is a natural preservative,” according to No7 Beauty.
Powder, blusher and bronzer
As powder products don’t contain any water, it’s harder for bacteria to grow.
“For this reason, most powder make-up products will have a shelf life of between 18 months and two years,” the brand says.
Eyeshadow
Once opened, eyeshadows should be thrown away after 18 months.
Mascara
Bacteria living on our eyelashes can very quickly be transferred to a mascara wand and tube.
“For this reason, it’s recommended to replace your mascara every three months if you use it every day, or six months if you use it occasionally,” No7 Beauty says.
Eyeliners and brow pencils
Like mascara, liquid eyeliners and eyebrow products should only be used for three to six months to avoid irritation.
But pencil eyeliners, when regularly sharpened, can last up to three years.
Lipstick and lipgloss
When it comes to your lips, sticks and glosses should be thrown out after 12 to 18 months.
That’s the point that the preservatives, such as essential oils, that brands add start to break down, experts say.
Make-up tools
Providing you take good care of them, make-up brushes should last years.
However, sponges, like beauty blenders, should not be used for more than three months.
Can I make my make-up last any longer?
“Using expired make-up is not recommended, but to help your favourite products go the distance, keep lids on tight and store them in cool, dark and dry place,” experts say.
“Shake your liquid products frequently to keep the oils, water and make-up particles together.”
Source: No7 Beauty
4. Using out-of-date products
“In the same way that dirty make-up brushes can have bacteria build-up on them, so can the make-up products themselves,” Nimmi said.
“Even though make-up contains preservatives that help prevent bacteria from living in the products, they can still be contaminated with regular use.
“Take mascara for example. The spool touches the eyelashes and then is placed back inside the product.
“This happens repeatedly, often without the spool being cleaned, leading to the spread of bacteria to the eyes.”
As a general rule, Nimmi says:
- Mascara and liquid eyeliner are typically considered safe to use for three months, or for a maximum of six months.
- Liquid products used near the eye have an increased risk of spreading bacteria.
- Pencil-style eyeliners and gel eyeliners can be used for up to one year.
- Powder products, such as eye shadows, if stored properly, free from moisture and used with clean brushes or applicators, are good for up to two years.
“Ensure that you check the dates on cosmetics and check the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging so you know how long products should be kept for safe use,” Nimmi added.
5. Sharing products with friends
When you’re getting ready for a night out, it can be easy to reach into your friend’s make-up bag and use her mascara or eyeliner.
“But your eyes are the most sensitive part of your face, which contains a lot of personalised bacteria, so by sharing make-up, you’re essentially trading germs,” Nimmi said.
“Cross-contamination occurs when you use the same brushes, mascara, eyeshadow and eyeliner with someone else.
“This person could have an infection, such as bacterial conjunctivitis, which is highly contagious.
“The person you are sharing make-up with may not even know they have an infection, but this won’t stop it spreading through sharing make-up.”
The symptoms of conjunctivitis can be nasty, but these can be eased with eye drops.
“If your condition persists for more than two weeks, speak to your doctor,” Nimmi said.
“Perhaps also consider halting your use of contact lenses, as wearing them while having an eye infection can slow down the recovery and aggravate your eyes.
“Also, be sure to throw away any eye make-up used from the moment symptoms were experienced.”