The Unknown Dangers of Waterproof Mascara

Waterproof mascara is a part of some women’s daily makeup routines, but many are unaware of its potential health risks.

Waterproof mascara can be a convenient option if you’re going swimming, attending a funeral, or simply have a long day ahead during which you want your makeup to stay intact. But what you may not realize is that it can also harm your eyes and cause a number of frustrating and debilitating symptoms.

This was true for one Reddit user, who recently took to the platform to share their experience.

“I posted in the community a number of times seeking help, after feeling defeated from a 12 month journey seeing multiple specialists (optometrists, 2 seperate opthomologists, an ENT, allergist immunologist, endocrinologist, neurologist and finally a specialised eye surgeon) having lots of tests (MRI, CT, blood works) with some pretty debilitating symptoms,” wrote user genericlyspecial in the AskDocs Reddit thread about one month ago.

The individual shared that they had been experiencing symptoms including an extreme feeling of pressure in their left eye that led to daily headaches, a feeling of foggy vision even though they could still read clearly on an eye test, contact lens intolerance, the feeling of grit in their eye, and occasional pain on their nose bridge or under their left eye.

The symptoms were only in their left eye, which confused many experts since most of the likely explanations are typically bilateral syndromes.

After months of searching for an answer, the user found a female specialist eye surgeon who found black pigment in the glands of both of their eyelids, though there was significantly more in their left lower lid.

The user wrote that they were consistent about removing their makeup every night but that over time, small pigments were trapped in the glands. Since it was waterproof, the pigments didn't dissolve.

“I don’t know if other specialists found and discounted this pigment, or missed it entirely. But it’s visible to the naked eye, when my eyelid is pulled all the way down - it looks like lots of mini black dots," they wrote.

The dangers of waterproof mascara, according to an expert

According to Talin Amadian, O.D., an optometrist at Woodley Optometry, the formulation of waterproof mascara is designed to adhere more strongly to the lashes, making it more difficult to remove than regular mascara. This can lead to more vigorous rubbing and the use of stronger makeup removers, which may cause irritation to the delicate skin around the eyes and the eyes themselves.

“Waterproof mascara is popular for its long-lasting and smudge-resistant properties, but it does have potential downsides,” Amadian tells Healthnews.

In addition to irritation caused by rubbing and makeup removers, waterproof mascara can also potentially impact the health of the meibomian glands, which Amadian says are crucial for maintaining a healthy tear film and preventing dry eyes.

This is because the formulation of waterproof mascara often contains more waxes and silicone-based ingredients to ensure it stays in place. These ingredients, she explains, can sometimes clog the openings of the meibomian glands, located along the eyelid margins, leading to a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

"MGD can result in reduced oil secretion into the tear film, causing tears to evaporate more quickly,” Amadian says.

This can lead to symptoms such as dry, irritated, and red eyes. And over time, chronic MGD can contribute to more persistent dry eye symptoms and discomfort.

Solutions and alternatives to waterproof mascara

Amadian says individuals who are prone to dry eyes or have existing eyelid conditions should be cautious when it comes to waterproof mascara and potentially avoid using it. If you are going to use it, she recommends taking care to ensure thorough and gentle removal of it to avoid blocking the meibomian glands.

Another option is water-resistant mascara, which is formulated to handle some moisture but isn’t entirely waterproof. Amadian says water-resistant mascara is easier to remove than waterproof mascara and can help minimize potential risks.

The Reddit user, meanwhile, said using a simple over-the-counter oily eye drop multiple times daily has fixed the debilitating 12-month condition that stopped them from working. The eyedrops are helping to rebuild the lipid layer of their lower eyelid.

“I wanted to share a) the dangers of waterproof mascara and waterproof eyeliner - because there are no warnings and I had no clue,” the user wrote. “My symptoms stumped so many specialists in real life and on reddit, including multiple eye specialists…perhaps the dangers and impact of waterproof mascara are just not widely enough known.”