Women's frugal make up habits risk eye health

• Half of women have cut back on spending on their make-up
• More than a third (35 per cent) of women are hanging onto old make-up in a bid to save money
• One in five women have caught the men in their life using their eye make-up

This January, British women may want to make a New Year's resolution to clear out their make-up bags following new research from the College of Optometrists that reveals over a third (35 per cent) of women in the UK are hanging onto their make-up for longer in a bid to save money. However, while this may seem an easy way to save a few pennies, The College of Optometrists is warning that keeping hold of old eye make-up could potentially be putting women's eye health at risk.

The research shows that in light of the recession, half of UK women have cut back spending on their cosmetics. According to the survey, 24 per cent of women have not purchased any eye make-up for more than six months, this is worrying given that manufacturers recommend that mascara should be discarded after 3-6 months of use and 10 per cent of women have left it two years since their last eye make-up purchase.

As well as using old make-up which is potentially ridden with germs, nearly one in five (19 per cent) British women also have to contend with the men in their life stealing eye make-up and cream - a habit frowned upon by eye experts who warn that sharing eye make-up can spread bacteria and increase the risk of eye infections. The most popular items of make-up likely to be borrowed by men are eye cream (10 per cent), eye liner (six per cent) and mascara (five per cent).

Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser, College of Optometrists said: "Given the recent economic climate, it's understandable that women are looking to save money, but worrying to see that so many are willing to risk their eye health in order to do so. Old, out-of-date make-up may harbour bacteria which can cause unpleasant and unsightly eye infections such as conjunctivitis and styes; mascara is the worst culprit as the pumping action of the brush can drive bacteria into the tube where it can thrive due to the wet environment. Our past research has shown that around 1 in 10 women have suffered from unsightly eye infections such as conjunctivitis, and it's no wonder given our unhygienic eye make-up habits!"

Dr Blakeney continued: "Like food products, cosmetics also have a ‘discard by' date, and this information can be found on the side of the product tube or tub. To avoid nasty eye infections it's best to throw away your old make-up regularly, especially if it's a ‘wet' product such as mascara or liquid eyeliner. You can also avoid transferring bacteria by not sharing products - and with new cosmetics such as ‘man-scara' and ‘guy-liner' aimed at men, there is definitely no excuse for boys to steal their wife or girlfriend's make-up!"

Eye make-up expiry dates and advice from the College of Optometrists

Mascara / liquid eyeliner

Once opened, use within 6 months

Dr Blakeney said: "Because it's water-based, mascara may be a prime breeding ground for bacteria. Germs collected on the mascara wand are then pushed down into the mascara itself when the brush is replaced into the tube. Bacteria can then breed inside the tube, and potentially infect the eyes next time mascara is applied."
Cream/water based eye- shadows

Once opened, use within 12-18 months
"Water-based eye shadows have a much shorter shelf life than powder products because the liquid element is a good environment for bacteria. To help maintain the life of your eye shadow, clean your brushes regularly to avoid a build up of dirt, oil and germs."

Top tips for safe eye make-up use:

The College of Optometrists recommends the following simple 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 3-6 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 the eye health specialists on the high street and 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.