Your eyelids play a crucial role in maintaining the health of your eyes. They contain special oil glands that moisturize your eye's surface with every blink, keeping them comfortable and protected. The wrong makeup products or removal techniques can strip away these essential natural oils or introduce irritating ingredients, leading to dryness and sensitivity.
That's why understanding what to use and how to use it is the first step toward a healthier beauty routine.
To empower her patients, Dr. Michelle Blas has created the CLEAN Makeup Manual for Sensitive Eyes—and she's offering it to you for free. This comprehensive guide is packed with expert advice to help you navigate the world of cosmetics without compromising your eye health.
Take a simple quiz to find the best remover type for your specific skin and lifestyle
Non-negotiable best practices for applying and caring for makeup with sensitive eyes
Complete checklist of common irritants found in cosmetics
Trusted, eye-doctor-recommended brands and products that are clean and safe
Get instant access to Dr. Blas's expert tips and product recommendations. Start your journey to comfortable, beautiful eyes today!
The Ultimate eyewear that matches my vibe
A stylish way to protect my eye
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Ways to priorotize my eye health
Emergency eye care services
A Sneak Peek: Top Tips from the Guide
While this guide is a fantastic start, nothing beats personalized advice tailored to your unique eyes. If you're struggling with makeup-related irritation, dry eye, or other concerns, schedule a consultation with Dr. Michelle Blas.
As San Rafael's trusted optometrist for lifestyle-focused eye care, she can help you build a routine that lets you look and feel your best.
For skin that is prone to redness or breakouts, micellar cleansing water is the best choice.
Yes. If you have oily skin and feel like you can never get your makeup fully clean, an oil-free makeup remover is the recommended choice.
Yes, one of the most important best practices for sensitive eyes is to always remove your makeup every night.
Pencil eyeliners are the best option for sensitive eyes. You should also avoid applying liner to the "water-line" or "tight-lining" your eyes.
To keep your products clean and avoid infection, you should dispose of mascara and liquid eyeliner every 3 months.
First, wipe the dry brush on a clean towel. Then, mix a sulfate-free shampoo in warm water, swirl the brush to clean it, rinse under warm running water, and lay it flat on a clean towel to air dry. Never stand brushes up to dry, as water can run into the handle.
Your eyelids have oil glands that are essential for keeping your eyes moist and protected. Some makeup products contain toxic or irritating ingredients that can interfere with these glands, while improper hygiene can also lead to irritation. This guide helps you choose products and practices that are safe for sensitive eyes.
The manual advises against using waterproof makeup, as it is harder to remove and the removal process can be harsh on sensitive eyes and the delicate skin around them.
Cream eyeshadows and foundations are recommended over powders to avoid particles getting into the eyes and causing irritation.
There is a long list of potentially toxic ingredients, but some common ones to watch for are Benzalkonium chloride, Parabens (like ethylparaben & methylparaben), Formaldehyde-releasing compounds, and Retinoids.
You can use the EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database ( ewg.org ) to look up products and ingredients. It provides a hazard score from 1-10 to help you understand the potential risks.
This is the practice of applying eyeliner to the inner rim of your eyelid. It is not recommended because it can block the oil glands that are crucial for eye health and can introduce bacteria directly into the eye.
No, you should never share your eye makeup. Doing so can easily transfer bacteria and lead to infections.
It's crucial to dispose of makeup on time to prevent bacterial growth.
Key timelines are:
Mascara: Every 3 months
Liquid Eyeliner: Every 3 months
Eye Shadow Palettes: Every 2 years
Pencil Eyeliner: Should be sharpened daily
Primer: 1-2 years
Makeup Removal
Makeup remover wipes and cloths are a great option for travel because they are easy to transport and won't leak in your bag.
You should avoid oil-based makeup removers, as the oil can dissolve the glue used for eyelash extensions.
Yes, reusable microfiber cloths are considered one of the safest methods for highly sensitive eyes because they are completely chemical-free and only require water.
The cleaning frequency depends on the brush:
Foundation and powder brushes: Weekly
Eyeshadow and concealer brushes: Every other week
Other brushes: Monthly
Use a sulfate-free shampoo in warm water to gently swirl and rub the bristles clean, then rinse under running water. To dry, lay the brushes flat on a clean towel; never stand them upright, as water can damage the handle and loosen the bristles.
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