It’s been revealed that half of women have cut back on spending on their make-up during the recession, with more than a third hanging on to their cosmetics for longer in order to make the pennies go further.
But the ugly truth is that we could be causing more problems than we’re solving, not least when it comes to the health of our eyes – 24 per cent of women have not purchased any eye make-up for more than six months and ten per cent for two years.
And almost one-in-five women share their eye make-up and skincare with their men – a habit frowned upon by eye experts who warn that sharing eye make-up can spread bacteria and increase the risk of eye infections.
So we asked the College of Optometrists experts for their advice on making sure our beauty routine keeps us as beautiful as possible.
Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser, said: “Old, out-of-date make-up may harbour bacteria which can cause unpleasant and unsightly eye infections such as conjunctivitis and styes.”
Mascara - which should be discraded after six months of use - is the worst culprit as it’s water based and therefore a prime breeding ground for bacteria.
Germs collected on the mascara wand are then pushed down into the mascara itself where bacteria can breed and potentially infect the eyes next time mascara is applied.
It’s another reason why we should also avoid pumping the brush, which dries out the mascara as well as driving those germs down into the tube where it can thrive due to the wet environment.
Dr Blakeney recommends mascara and liquid eyeliner are thrown away six months after opening – you’ll see this symbol on the side of the packaging anyway, but remember it applies to the point from which it’s been opened, rather than bought.
Cream and water-based eyeshadows should be used between 12-18 months after opening.
“Water-based eye shadows have a much shorter shelf life than powder products because the liquid element is a good environment for bacteria,” says Dr Blakeney.
“To help maintain the life of your eye shadow, clean your brushes regularly to avoid a build up of dirt, oil and germs.”
We would add that extra care should be taken with organic products as they often don’t contain the synthetic preservatives that give ordinary products a little extra shelf life. But, again, there will be a symbol on the product reminding you of its lifespan.
The College of Optometrists recommends the following rules for safe make-up use and maintaining eye health:
• Don’t apply make-up on the move. Scratching the eye with a mascara wand is the most common injury from make-up and can lead to eye infections. To reduce the risk of scratches, only apply where there is no risk of sudden movement or jolts which could lead to injury.
• Don’t share your eye make-up. Sharing make-up can be risky as you may be sharing bacteria too. It’s particularly inadvisable to share mascara and eyeliner.
• Play it safe – ditch mascara after three-to-six months of use. Cosmetic brushes pick up bacteria from the skin. The risk of infection is increased if you moisten the brushes with saliva.
• Avoid using eyeliner on the inside or ‘wet’ area of your eyelids. It can block the glands there and lead to styes and dry eyes.
• Put your contact lenses in before you put your make-up on. Contact lens wearers know how important it is to keep their contact lenses clean to avoid infection but then risk compromising this with old make-up. If you are a contact lens wearer put your lenses in before you put your make-up on – not only will this will make it easier for you to see what you are doing but it will also mean you are less likely to get make-up underneath your lenses.
• Wash eye make-up brushes regularly. Make up brushes pick up dirt, grease, oil and bacteria from the skin and are then transferred onto your products. To help keep your eyes in good health and your products clean and safe, wash your brushes regularly in warm, soapy water.
• Visit an optometrist regularly. Optometrists are professionally trained to test sight, prescribe glasses and contact lenses and examine the health of the eye. Visit www.lookafteryoureyes.org for more information on eye health.
Posted in 
Tags: 
[...] Read the original here: Beauty without cruelty – to yourself | Kasia Fashion [...]
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
You have to express more your opinion to attract more readers, because just a video or plain text without any personal approach is not that valuable. But it is just form my point of view
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I’m looking forward to getting more information about this topic, don’t worry about negative opinions.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Nice looking blog you have here. The theme is awesome, great color combination.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Good morning, You write some very good blogs. I always check back here often to see if you have updated. I thought you might want to know, when I click your RSS feed it re-directs me to http://www.skin-parlour.com
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Nice post!You should have way more subs than this =(
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I am not going to be original this time, so all I am going to say that your blog rocks, sad that I don’t have suck a writing skills
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i was starting to believe i might possibly end up being the sole person whom thought about this, at least at present i comprehend im not nutty
i will make it a point to look at a couple of various other blogposts soon after i get a little caffeine in me, it is actually complicated to read without my coffee, I was unbelivably late last night jamming facebook poker and after drinking a few beers i ended up losing all my zynga poker chips take care 
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
howdy cool little blog site ya got right here
I apply the matching web theme on my own and yet for whatever odd explanation it looks to load more rapidly on your blog although this blog provides far more content material. Have you been working with different plugins or widgets that will quicken it up? Do you think you could quite possibly share the names so maybe I could use these on my website so twilight breaking dawn supporters could watch twilight new moon online trailers and videos faster I’d personally be ever so thankful – cheers in advance 
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
howdy cool little blog site ya got right here
I apply the matching web theme on my own and yet for whatever odd explanation it looks to load more rapidly on your blog although this blog provides far more content material. Have you been working with different plugins or widgets that will quicken it up? Do you think you could quite possibly share the names so maybe I could use these on my website so twilight breaking dawn supporters could watch twilight new moon online trailers and videos faster I’d personally be ever so thankful – cheers in advance 
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[...] Beauty without cruelty – to yourself | Kasia Fashion [...]
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I just needed to say that I found your website via Goolge and I am glad I did. Keep up the good work and I will make sure to bookmark you for when I have more free time away from the books. Thanks again!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Good post – and solid domain by the way!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Buy:Prednisolone.Prevacid.Synthroid.Retin-A.Human Growth Hormone.Zyban.Petcam (Metacam) Oral Suspension.100% Pure Okinawan Coral Calcium.Accutane.Zovirax.Actos.Valtrex.Nexium.Lumigan.Mega Hoodia.Arimidex….
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
technical http://mcompaqncw6.BEDROOMPROPERTY.INFO/tag/compaq+computer+repair+support+technical/ : technical…
technical…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Buy:Viagra Super Active+.Viagra Soft Tabs.Cialis Professional.Viagra Professional.Levitra.Cialis.Viagra Super Force.Cialis Soft Tabs.Viagra.Super Active ED Pack.Zithromax.Cialis Super Active+.VPXL.Propecia.Soma.Tramadol.Maxaman….
Like or Dislike:
0 
0