Walking into any store selling cosmetics, the amount of options are very overwhelming, seeing the rows upon rows of bottles is intimidating. All of these options make it so much more challenging to choose which would be right for you. Hopefully I can help with the process by walking you through different preservatives that are harmful to the eyes but are used in many products. 

Guilty Parties:

1. Benzalkonium Chloride (BAK)  

• Found in many preserved eye drops especially medicated ones, eyeliners, mascaras, makeup removers, and cleansers
• Studies have shown that BAK can damage the corneal epithelial surface, which is the outer most layer of the clear window in the front of the eye.
• Damage to this surface causes dry and irritated eyes as well may cause blurring of vision and an overall decrease in the quality of your vision.

2. Formaldehyde Releasing Preservatives 

• These can be any of the following:
• Quaternium-15
• DMDM hydantoin
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Diazolidunyl urea
• Polyoxymethlene urea
• Sodium hydroxymethlyglycinate
• Bromopol
• Glyoxal
• Found in shampoos, facial cleansers, makeup removers.
• The studies have shown that these preservatives are associated with:
• Contact dermatitis (allergic reactions)
• Eye surface and skin irritation

3. Parabens

• Some examples include:
• Butylparaben
• Methylparaben
• Propylparaben

• Found in many cosmetics such as eyeliner and waterproof mascaras, lotions, and deodorants.
• Studies have shown that paragons can penetrate the human skin tissue.
• They have found it to be associated with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), causing a decrease in the release of the oil called meibum from the specialized oil glands in our eyelids (meibomian glands).

4. Phenoxyethanol 

• Found in mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, concealer and doundation, moisturizers, sunscreen, soaps, and makeup removers.
• Studies have shown it to cause:
• Skin dermatitis
• Ocular irritation
• Stinging and burning