Gina Johnson
Sleeping with mascara on can cause a plethora of issues for your eyes and eyelashes. Mascara contains waxes, oils, pigments, and emollients, which can provide hydration to your lashes and enhance their appearance, but the accumulation of these chemicals can cause eye problems. As the mascara dries, your eyelashes can become heavy and brittle, eventually falling off. The dried mascara can also scratch your cornea, conjunctiva, or sclera (the white part of the eye), leading to eye pain, redness, and blurred vision. Additionally, the build-up of mascara flakes, oils, and bacteria can clog glands and irritate your eyes, increasing the risk of eye infections such as keratitis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eyelashes become stiff and prone to breakage | |
| Weakens the roots of eyelashes | |
| Mascara particles can cause dark circles | |
| Affects eyelids | |
| May cause eye pain and irritation | |
| May lead to blindness | |
| May cause eye infections | |
| May cause redness, swelling, and itching | |
| May cause acne flare-ups | |
| May cause dry skin | |
| May cause premature aging | |
| May cause clumping of eyelashes |
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What You'll Learn
Concretions and eye conditions
Failing to remove mascara before sleep may lead to the formation of concretions, which are solid masses that develop underneath the eyelids. These concretions can cause eye pain and irritation, and in severe cases, can lead to blindness.
Concretions form when tiny bits of mascara accumulate under the eyelids over time and solidify. This can happen when mascara is not properly removed, allowing it to build up and harden. In some cases, these hard bits can even poke through the conjunctiva, the delicate membrane lining the eyelids, and scratch the cornea. The resulting discomfort can feel like having sand in the eye, as described by ophthalmologist Dana Robaei in a case study.
The risk of developing concretions and associated eye conditions is higher when mascara is not adequately removed before sleep. This is because the eyes are closed during sleep, trapping mascara flakes, oils, and bacteria. Additionally, the natural blinking and air circulation that help remove mascara particles during the day are absent. Sleeping with mascara on can also cause it to smear on pillows, increasing the risk of eye irritation and potential cornea damage.
To prevent the formation of concretions and reduce the risk of eye conditions, it is crucial to properly remove mascara and eye makeup before bed. This can be done using gentle makeup removers specifically designed for the eyes, applied with 100% cotton pads or Q-tips to avoid leaving lint in the eyes. Ensuring that mascara is replaced every three months can also help maintain eye health. While occasional nights of sleeping with mascara on may not cause significant issues, making it a habit can lead to chronic problems and put eye health at risk.
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Skin and lash irritation
Mascara is made from a combination of oils, waxes, water, carbon black, and iron oxides. Leaving it on for too long can make your eyelashes brittle, causing them to break and fall out. This can weaken the roots of your eyelashes, and the particles can cause dark circles and irritate your eyelids.
In addition to lash breakage, sleeping with mascara on can also cause skin and lash irritation. The mascara particles can get into your eyes and irritate them, causing redness, swelling, and itching. This can lead to eye infections and, in extreme cases, even blindness. The risk of infection is increased as your eyelashes are a habitat for microscopic critters that feed on the oils in mascara. These critters then leave their waste products on your face.
A case study published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology reported that a woman who had used mascara for 25 years without properly removing it at night developed solidified concretions—tiny bits of mascara that had accumulated inside her eyelids. These concretions caused chronic eye irritation and scratched her corneas, leading to permanent scarring on her eyelids and cornea.
Another case study reported that a woman who slept with mascara on developed a weird form of chronic inflammation, with swarms of pigmented macrophages (a type of immune cell) in her eyelids. This patient also had to undergo a 90-minute surgery to remove the lumps from her eyes and was left with permanent scarring.
Therefore, it is important to remove your mascara before bed to avoid skin and lash irritation and the potential risks of eye infection and blindness.
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Breakouts and acne
Sleeping with mascara on can have several adverse effects on your skin, including breakouts and acne.
Throughout the day, your skin accumulates dirt, oil, and bacteria from environmental pollutants and your body's natural processes. Makeup mixes with these pollutants, creating a harmful combination that breaks down your skin and invites acne-causing bacteria. This buildup can clog your pores and contribute to the development of acne.
Foundation and thick, oil-based primers are especially troublesome, often leading to blackheads and a dull complexion. However, even non-comedogenic makeup products designed not to clog pores can still trigger acne if left on overnight.
Leaving eye makeup on overnight can also increase the risk of eye infections. Bacteria can thrive in the warm and moist environment of your eye area, potentially leading to conditions like conjunctivitis (pink eye).
To prevent breakouts and acne, it is important to properly remove all makeup, including eye makeup, before bed. This allows your skin to breathe and your eyelashes to stay safe from irritating makeup particles. Use a gentle cleanser to remove any remaining makeup, oil, or dirt from your skin. For eye makeup, use an eye makeup remover specifically designed for the eyes, as it contains ingredients that are gentle on the eye area.
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Dry skin and premature ageing
Sleeping with mascara on can have several adverse effects on your skin, particularly on the sensitive eye area.
Firstly, mascara can dry out your eyelashes, making them more brittle and prone to breakage over time. This can result in thinner and less healthy-looking lashes. Mascara can also flake into your eyes overnight, causing irritation, redness, and dryness, and increasing the risk of eye infections such as conjunctivitis or styes. The skin around the eyes is delicate, and mascara residue can clog pores, contributing to further irritation and redness.
Additionally, makeup can interfere with the skin's natural renewal process, preventing it from breathing, repairing, and regenerating itself properly. This interference can lead to a buildup of oil, dirt, and makeup residue, resulting in clogged pores and acne breakouts. The skin may also experience increased exposure to free radicals, causing oxidative stress that damages collagen and elastin fibres, essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. This can contribute to premature ageing, including the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, and a dull, tired-looking complexion.
Therefore, it is crucial to remove mascara and other makeup before bed to maintain healthy skin and eye health and prevent the risk of infections and premature ageing. A proper cleansing routine with gentle, hydrating products can protect your lashes and support your skin's natural repair process, ensuring a radiant and healthy complexion.
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Eye infections
Mascara is a cosmetic beauty product that enhances the eyelashes by making them look longer and thicker. It is usually made of various pigments, oils, waxes, preservatives, and emollients. While some people find it completely okay to sleep with mascara on, others are concerned with the potential consequences of heavy makeup.
Sleeping with mascara on can lead to various issues, including eye infections. Eye makeup can cause an infection if it becomes contaminated with common germs. According to the FDA, eye makeup is usually safe and free of contamination when purchased, but frequent use can transfer bacteria from your skin and eyes onto brushes and cosmetics. The mascara brush may pick up bacteria during use and, when returned to its container, provide an environment for bacteria to build up and proliferate over time. This is why it is important to replace eye makeup every three to four months and not to share cosmetics or brushes.
In addition, if you wear contact lenses, you may be at a higher risk of irritation and infection. Mascara or eye makeup can get into your contacts and ruin the integrity of the lens. This can cause an infection. It is important to put your contacts in before applying mascara or eye makeup and to be aware of the sterility of your hands and lenses. Scratching the cornea can also lead to dangerous infections, so be careful when applying mascara or makeup.
Sleeping with mascara on can also make eyelashes stiff and prone to breakage. It weakens the roots, and mascara particles can cause dark circles and affect the eyelids. In extreme cases, leaving mascara on your lashes overnight can lead to severe conditions such as blindness.
To prevent eye infections and other issues, it is important to remove eye makeup thoroughly with a cleanser or makeup remover before going to bed. Use a gentle or hypoallergenic makeup remover specifically designed for the eyes, and avoid using saliva to re-wet dried-up mascara as the bacteria from your mouth may proliferate in the mascara.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping with mascara on can cause eye irritation, redness, and the formation of uncomfortable bumps (called styes) on your eyelids. It can also lead to eye infections like keratitis, which causes redness, eye pain, watery eyes, blurred vision, and light sensitivity.
The mascara will dry and make your eyelashes feel heavy and brittle, causing them to fall out. The dried mascara can also scratch your cornea, conjunctiva, or sclera (the white part of your eye), leading to potential eye damage and vision problems.
If you're too tired to remove your makeup, keep some makeup wipes or a cleanser near your bed. Oils such as almond or coconut oil can also effectively remove mascara. However, it is important to note that the accumulation of chemicals in mascara can cause eye problems, so it is always best to remove it before sleeping.
