5 Worst Things to Put on Your Eyes

5 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬

Think you’re doing right by your eyes? Some commonly recommended eye care products could be doing more harm than good. Here’s a rundown:

👁 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬: Sleeping in contact lenses may seem convenient, but it restricts oxygen to the cornea and increases the risk of eye infections. Bacteria can get trapped under lenses, especially when they’re worn overnight. For safer contact lens wear, always remove lenses before bed, and consider daily disposables if extended wear is essential for your lifestyle.

👁 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐚: Though waterproof mascara may seem like a good choice to avoid smudging, the waxes and parabens it contains can clog the meibomian glands on your eyelids. These glands produce the oils that keep your eyes moist and protect the tear film from evaporating. As an alternative, opt for a gentler, non-waterproof mascara, which will minimise the risk of gland blockage and keep your eyelids health intact.

👁 𝐕𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: Vaseline, a byproduct of petroleum, may seem like a convenient fix for dry skin, but it can be harmful to eyelid health. It often contains impurities that clog the meibomian glands, eventually leading to gland atrophy. This can cause persistent dry eyes. To protect your eyelids, try a dedicated eyelid moisturizer that’s non-comedogenic and specially formulated for the sensitive skin around the eyes.

👁 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬: Eye whitening drops temporarily reduce redness by constricting blood vessels, but frequent use can lead to “rebound redness,” where vessels dilate more than before. This cycle can make redness worse over time. Instead, use preservative-free lubricating drops or consult an eye doctor for a longer-term solution to redness.

👁 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐨: While baby shampoo is gentle on the skin, it strips natural oils from eyelids and lashes, which are crucial for eye health. Some shampoos even used to contain formaldehyde as a preservative, a known eye irritant. Instead of baby shampoo, try a tea tree oil foaming scrub or a lid and lash cleansing spray. These products are designed to clean without disrupting the eye’s natural oils, helping to prevent dryness and irritation.

Switching from these products to safer alternatives can greatly benefit your eye health, keeping your eyes moisturized, comfortable, and irritation-free. As technology continues to advance, we learn new things and are able to take care of our sensitive eyes better than ever before.