Cosmetics are substances applied to the body to alter its appearance. Cosmetics refer to a wide range of products, including: fragrances (perfumes), lipsticks, eye and face makeup, etc. Most eye cosmetics are safe if used properly. It is important, however, to be cautious when using them. It is also advisable to test cosmetics and their impact on the body on a regular basis, and observe the short-lived health problems they may cause, such as: irritation of the skin or the eye, and the like allergic reactions.
Cosmetics and health problems
Cosmetics refer to a wide range of products, some of which can cause health problems to some users. Such problems include: irritation of the skin or the eye, or allergy. Those problems are mostly short-lived, and the said symptoms are likely to disappear upon stopping use of the product. As for the enduring, long-term health impacts of cosmetics, there are barely any studies to observe those impacts for most cosmetic products.
General Tips
- The cosmetics put up for sale are required to have an ingredient declaration on the label.
- Eye cosmetics are usually safe when you buy them, but misusing them can allow bacteria or fungi to grow in them.
- Avoid sharing or swapping eye cosmetics with others.
- Don’t use apply eye cosmetics while in the car, to avoid eye injuries (scratching your cornea, for example).
- Check the ingredients of products before using them (for example, eyelash adhesives, which can cause an allergic reaction or irritation).
- If any eye cosmetic causes irritation, stop using it immediately, and see a doctor.
- Avoid using eye cosmetics if you have an eye infection. Wait until the area is healed.
- Discard any eye cosmetics you were using when you got the infection.
- Wash your hands before applying eye cosmetics.
- Make sure that any instrument you place in the eye area is clean.
- Make sure to cover keep the cosmetics covered and sealed after using them, to avoid exposure to dust or dirt.
- Don’t use expired cosmetics (the expiry date is usually printed on the package of the product).
- Don't use any cosmetics near your eyes unless they are intended specifically for that use.
- Be careful to keep cosmetics away from children.
FAQ
- Do cosmetics cause cancer?
It is difficult to test the ingredients of cosmetics, their long-term impacts on health, as well as the diseases they may cause, such as cancer. That is the onset of cancer usually occurs several years after exposure to the substance that has caused it. Studies usually take at least 10 - 20 years to determine whether a given substance, or a certain cosmetic product, causes cancer.