Are any of you like me? I won't go out of the house without having lipstick on and making sure my lashes look like the models you see in magazines. I have learned recently that mascara is one of the cosmetics most likely to cause health problems. In 1990 according to the Safe Shoppers Bible "there were at least 1,964 emergency room admissions because of mascara-related injuries". A small but significant number of eye maladies women suffer are caused by eye makeup. As an example, Conjunctivitis and Contact Dermatitis can be caused by mascara. Sometimes this occurs because the eyeball is scratched while applying the mascara but a preservative called quaternium 15 is a direct eye irritant, so this could also be the culprit. Some products contain phenyl mercuric acetate – this is both an allergen and skin irritant, which should never be used around the eyes. Not all mascaras are alike – so make sure you know what you are using.

Safe tips when using mascara:
1. Never use mascara if your eye has been injured, infected or scratched.

2. Always handle your mascara carefully and in a sanitary manner. NEVER apply water to mascara. I remember once when I was in a public restroom I saw a woman spit on her mascara brush – this is definitely a no no! Even though mascaras have preservatives, it is still likely to become contaminated by adding something to the mascara.

3. Never keep your mascara longer than three months to four months because over time the preservatives break down.

4. Finally, never apply mascara immediately after applying nail polish or using polish remover because their ingredients can irritate the eyes with direct contact.

If you would like to find out how to purchase a mascara without toxic ingredients or other non-toxic products, fill out the information on the contact page.

Source: The Safe Shopper’s Bible
David Steinman & Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.