Transport and interaction of cosmetic product material within the ocular surface: Beauty and the beastly symptoms of toxic tears

Investigating the effect of eye cosmetics on the tear film: current insights

“…Prospective studies have confirmed that tear film contamination can result from passive and inadvertent migration of periocular cosmetic products across the eyelid margin, in addition to poor application techniques, direct accidental ocular instillation, and eye rubbing 6,11. Furthermore, this phenomenon is also thought to contribute toward some of the reported adverse effects associated with eye cosmetic wear, including posterior blepharitis, ocular surface irritation, tear film instability, conjunctival pigmentation, corneal epithelium inflammation, and keratitis 2,7,16–19…”

“…The migration of externally applied eye cosmetics onto the ocular surface has been consistently reported 6,7,11,12,14. There have been numerous anecdotal accounts of tear film contamination with eye cosmetic products during routine slit lamp examination 6,12.…”

“…The exact mechanisms which facilitate the migration of externally applied cosmetic products across the eyelid margin are not fully understood 7,11,12,14. Nevertheless, a number of explanations for product migration have been proposed, with one such hypothesis suggesting that the eyelid movements during blinking may create mechanical forces which enhance the movement of periocular particles toward the tear film,7,11,14 although the manner by which such mechanical forces are generated remains contentious 12.…”

“…This is associated with profound psychosocial impacts, and many women report using cosmetic products to improve self-confidence 4,6. Market research from the United States and United Kingdom suggests that a large proportion of women use facial and eye cosmetics,4,6 with mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow being among the most commonly applied products 4,6,7…”

“…In contrast, there has been little published literature on the long-term ocular effects of Western eye cosmetic formulations until recent decades,4 although the cosmetic industry is subjected to stringent regulation and rigorous safety assessments 4,6,7. Nevertheless, recent clinical evidence has demonstrated the migration of externally applied cosmetic material across the eyelid margin,11,12 and this is thought to predispose eye cosmetic wearers toward tear film instability and dry eye development 6,7,13–15…”