The skin that surrounds our eyes is especially sensitive, yet many of the most common eye makeup products contain harmful chemicals that can irritate our skin. Biohackers interested in finding gentle and safe eye makeup choices have found that eye products that are ophthalmologist-tested and hypoallergenic can be safer for the skin.
To start replacing your eye makeup collection, it’s first important to learn which ingredients are best for your skin such as antioxidants and vitamins.
Check out a few things to look for when shopping for safer eye makeup products. Once you find a set of natural products that work well for your skin, you’ll help improve your skin health and limit your exposure to the chemicals commonly found in standard eye makeup products.
Importance of Reading Labels
Don’t let attractive packaging and marketing tactics lure you into buying products that may contain harmful ingredients. As you strive to improve your health, it is crucial to read the labels of products before you purchase them. Performing a patch test with a new product is also a good idea, so you can see how your skin responds.
Price is often a common concern for people looking to switch to gentle, safer eye makeup choices. However, remember that choosing healthier products is an investment in your health. In addition, these products last a long time. Choosing a few, reliable and safe options for your eye makeup collection is better than having a collection full of products that contain dangerous chemicals.
Formulas and Pigments
The formula of your eye makeup products is one of the most important things to pay attention to. Look for formulas that are non-irritating without fragrances, alcohol, or other harmful ingredients.
Most fragrances are synthetic chemicals that should be avoided. Using the EWG’s Skin Deep Checker can help you learn which ingredients to stay away from and which are approved. Some safe brands to start with are bareMinerals and LifeExtension’s natural products.
Biohackers can still enjoy pigments in eye makeup, such as eyeshadow and lip color. However, natural products that use naturally derived pigments from fruits or plants are better than those colored from synthetic dyes. Natural products may use iron oxides or fruit extracts to give natural eye makeup a rich pigment.
Vitamins and Antioxidants
Many natural eye products also contain helpful vitamins and antioxidants which can enrich the skin around your eyes. Eye makeup products with Vitamin E and Vitamin C are great for anti-aging benefits. These vitamins and antioxidants each provide different benefits, which means you can choose products that are geared toward your specific biohacking beauty goals.
Soothing Botanicals
Natural ingredients like aloe vera and cucumber extract help soothe and nourish the skin. Other examples to look for are green tea extract and chamomile extract. Over time (and trial and error), you can find which botanicals work best for your skin care needs. For those with extra sensitive skin, eye makeup products with soothing botanicals can be especially helpful. Choosing eye makeup products that are safe around the eye can also help prevent premature aging.
Ophthalmologist-Approved Eye Makeup Products & Hydrating Ingredients
Ophthalmologist-tested: Biohackers should look for eye makeup products that have been ophthalmologist-tested or specifically labeled as safe for use around the eyes. This provides reassurance that the products have undergone adequate testing for eye safety.
If you have dry skin especially, look for eye makeup choices that contain ingredients that promote hydration. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera can help fight dryness, which can worsen during the cold and dry months of the year.
Revamping Your Makeup Collection
Revamping your makeup collection is especially important for great-looking skin and to limit your exposure to chemicals. Choosing natural, plant-derived options is one way to hack your way to better skin. Next, consider removing chemicals from other health and beauty products like nail and hair care.
- The Safest Makeup Ingredients for Sensitive Eyes. (2022). Eyes on Eyecare. https://eyesoneyecare.com/resources/the-safest-makeup-for-sensitive-eyes/
- Hoang, H. G., Moon, J., & Lee, Y. I. (2021). Natural Antioxidants from Plant Extracts in Skincare Cosmetics: Recent Applications, Challenges and Perspectives. Cosmetics, 8(4), 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics8040106
