After years of practicing optometry I can tell you, without a doubt, that most people never remove their eye makeup at night! My slit lamp never lies, and that microscope can tell me whether or not you're taking it off...and what you're using to remove it. Here's why sleeping in your eye makeup is not only gross, but unhealthy as well!

Beautiful eyes are white and bright. Old makeup causes inflammation of the eyelid and whites of the eyes, which makes your eyes appear red. Not fun! Of course, there are other things that can cause red eyes, such as infections and dryness, but you're only contributing to the problem by not removing your makeup at night.

The skin around your eyes is ten times thinner than the rest of the skin on your body. This means that it wrinkles and stretches more easily. Old makeup that you leave on overnight gets stuck, and you may have to tug to remove it. Just say NO to wrinkles!

Old eye makeup loves bacteria. After just ONE night of sleeping in your eye makeup, you’ve created the perfect environment for a nasty eye infection. For those of you who've had a painful eyelid bump, you know you'll do anything to prevent future eruptions!

Many makeup brands contain phthalates, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and heavy preservatives. Sleeping with these not only causes premature aging, but it can be harmful to your hormones and precious brain cells! Not to mention the inflammation it can cause in and around your eyes...

We have been a huge proponent for the new eye makeup brand, Eyes Are The Story. This eye makeup was made specifically for those with dry, irritated eyes and eyelids.  

Check them out here (affiliate link).

Waking up with raging red eyes is proof that your soap and water regimen didn't remove all of that makeup.  Try an oil-based eye makeup remover to get all that eyeliner out. Even better, follow up that remover with an eyelid and eyelash cleansing product.

Did you know that mites live and breed in our eyelash follicles? Yikes! These mites hang out there and feast on bacteria on our eyelids, causing eyelashes to fall out and eyes to become inflamed. Support your eyelids with this!

As an optometrist, I am always asked how to take care of your eyelids and ultimately your eyes. Keep reading on below to see the routine that I use morning and evening.

1. Wet your closed eyelids 

Just use a splash of water (this helps to loosen any waterproof makeup you're wearing, and it makes removing everything even easier). 

2. Use an oil based makeup remover

This Eye Makeup Remover Oil is great. Just put a few drops onto a cotton ball or round and work it into both eyelids. Depending on how much makeup you wear, it may vary in how long this process takes you.

Alternatively, use a pre-moistened eyelid wipe for makeup removal if you prefer to use eyelid wipes.

3. Wash your face with a tea tree oil soap

We usually recommend this Tea Tree Oil Bar Soap or Foaming Face Wash. We keep the bar soap in the shower and use the foam at the sink. Either way works well.

Massage the soap of your choice onto your entire face. You can use either soap over closed eyelids, although you want to make sure to rinse very well afterward, as tea tree essential oil can burn the eyes.

Make sure to pat your face dry.

4. Cleanse with hypochlorous acid

Hypochlorous acid is a wonderful option for eyelid cleansing because it’s all natural and incredibly gentle. This Lid and Lash Cleanser is our choice. You can use it a few ways, but I like to simply spray it onto a cotton ball for application. 

5. Try the NuLids Device 

Debridement of the eyelids with a device like BlephEx (in your doctor’s office) or NuLids (at home) helps to break up the defense that bacteria has created, which is called biofilm.  This biofilm is very hard to destroy with regular eyelid hygiene, and nightly NuLids exfoliation gives you a better chance.

6. Moisturize your eyelids and face

Follow up everything above with a safe eye cream and face moisturizer all over your face, neck and eyelids. Make sure it contains natural ingredients only, and watch out for chemical preservatives.

AMAZON AFFILIATE INFORMATION

We, Eye Love, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. MediViz and Heyedrate branded products are made by our company, Eye Love, but we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.