When is it a good idea to use makeup containing oil? Almost never, to be honest. If you have a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, you may need to lock-in moisture on your skin. For those with dry skin, adequate moisture is also a concern. But it’s not the job of your cosmetics to moisturize. In fact, for most people, makeup with oil or mineral oil causes more problems than it solves.

Why Oil-Free Cosmetics Are Best:

1. Your skin-care routine should provide all the moisture you need. Make sure that you’re always using a lotion or day cream with your specific needs in mind. Don’t forget your cleansing routine! If you’re stripping too much oil from your skin when you wash it, your moisturizer will need to do all the work to hydrate.

2. If you have oily or combination skin, you want to use oil-free or water-based cosmetics. Additional oil will clog your pores and lead to break outs. It will also exacerbate existing blemishes, and make you feel greasy.

3. Too much oil, even for skin that needs extra hydration, can irritate or undermine existing conditions like eczema.

4. If you prefer a matte beauty look, you don’t want oil in your cosmetics. Makeup with oil is inherently more shiny.

5. Do you dislike using powder to set your makeup? Avoid oil-based products. They will tend to create a shine, increasing the need for setting powder or blotting paper.

6. Most importantly: Oil-based cosmetics and skin-care products are death to false lashes and lash extensions!

If you wear eyelash extensions or false lashes, you must use eye makeup and skin-care products that are oil-free or water-based.  The glue keeping your enhanced lashes in place will dissolve if it comes in contact with oil.

This means you especially want to avoid oil-based products that come in direct contact with your eye area. While you’re wearing strip lashes or eyelash extensions, you’ll need to check the labels on all your eye care, skin care, and makeup. Don’t use oil-based products, or products with glycol or carbonate. These ingredients will interfere with the delicate bond between your lash line and your false eyelashes.

Which Eye Makeup Products Can Damage Lash Extensions?

  • Oil-Based Eyeliner

    Because eyeliner is applied directly to the lash line, it’s crucial that you use only a water-based product. Anything with oil used in this area will weaken the lash glue. Steer clear of eye pencils when you wear enhanced lashes, too. Dragging a pencil along your lash line can tangle fake lashes or eyelash extensions. 

  • Oil-Based Lash Primer

    Though eyelash primer is applied directly to the lashes, and not the lash line, you still want to make sure you’re using an oil-free formula. You want to protect your investment and the hygiene of your eyes.  You’ll protect the wear-time of your strip lashes and eyelash extensions in the process! And did I mention drama? Good primer is a game changer.

  • Eye Makeup Remover With Oil

    As with everything else that comes in contact with your fake lashes or eyelash extensions, your eye makeup remover must be oil-free. BeautyGARDE oil-free lash and brow shampoo uses a soft cleansing brush to get to every hard-to-reach area around and between your lashes. It gently, but thoroughly, cleans your fake lashes and eyelash extensions, without tugging or pulling on them. The Lash Shampoo will not damage your extensions, or weaken the adhesive bond attaching them to your lash line. You know what else? There’s no rubbing involved. Most eye makeup removers require pads or cotton balls, which must then be rubbed in the eye area, tugging at the lash glue, potentially tangling your extensions, and leaving lint in your lashes or eyes. What a pain. BeautyGARDE oil-free lash and brow shampoo is a better solution. It’s a water-based gel that’s gentle on your whole eye area, and as the name implies, you can clean your brows with it, too. Clean my brows, you say? Yes, really. (For more information, see our article, Up to 80% of You Have Eyelash Mites. Are You One of Them?)

So you may be wondering about that fabulous new face oil you bought, or a great-smelling facial moisturizer with essential oils in it. Even if you keep these products confined to the area below your eyes, it’s best to avoid using them when you’re wearing fake eyelashes or lash extensions. Why, you say? When you wash your face at the end of the day, any oil-based product can migrate to the eye area during your cleansing routine. That’s a disaster for your false lashes.

One other thing to consider: If you like to wear hand cream, be careful to keep your hands away from your eyes, too. In general, when you’re wearing lash extensions and fake eyelashes, it’s best to touch your eye area as little as possible, except when you’re applying makeup or washing your face.