Why Do Teens Get Blepharitis From Sharing Makeup?

One mascara tube makes the rounds between a group of girls - and boom everyone has the same eye and eyelid bacteria. All it takes is a quick swipe of eyeliner borrowed from a friend, a shared mirror and a lot of laughter. It feels harmless; it may even be bonding. But that innocent makeup sharing is one of the most common reasons teens develop blepharitis.

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids, particularly along the lash line. It can cause redness, itching, crusting, burning, and watery or irritated eyes. While it’s usually not serious, it can be uncomfortable and frustrating, especially when it keeps coming back. And, blepharitis can be chronic and progressive.

So why does sharing mascara matter so much?

The answer starts with bacteria. All people naturally have bacteria living on their skin and around their eyes. Most of the time, these microorganisms coexist peacefully with us. But when a mascara wand touches someone’s lashes, it picks up that person’s unique mix of bacteria. When the wand is placed back into the tube, it contaminates the entire product. The next person who uses it transfers those bacteria directly onto their own eyelids.

Mascara tubes are dark, moist environments which are ideal conditions for bacterial growth. Once introduced, bacteria can multiply inside the tube. Each time it’s used, more bacteria are deposited along the delicate lid margin, right where tiny oil glands (called meibomian glands) open.

In teenagers, those oil glands are already more active because of hormonal changes during puberty. Increased oil production can make glands more likely to clog. When bacteria are added to the mix, the glands can become blocked and inflamed. The body’s immune system reacts, leading to the redness, irritation, and crusting characteristic of blepharitis.

There’s also a mechanical factor. Applying mascara or eyeliner can cause tiny micro-irritations along the lash line. The irritations are the normal consequence of putting on makeup or rubbing the skin, but they make the environment fertile for small bacterial infections. These small disruptions in the skin barrier make it easier for bacteria to enter and trigger inflammation.

Teens may also be more likely to sleep in makeup or skip thorough removal at night, allowing bacteria and product buildup to sit along the lash line for hours. Over time, this creates the perfect storm: clogged glands, bacterial overgrowth, and inflammation.

The good news is that blepharitis from makeup sharing is largely preventable. Avoid sharing eye makeup, replace mascara every three months, and remove eye makeup gently but completely each night. 

Washing off makeup is also an easy habit to create - but it needs to become habitual. Every time a teen wears makeup, they need to learn to remove it thoroughly. Many eye doctors comment that even experienced women do not get all of their eye makeup off. We recommend using an appropriate mascara remover (particularly if waterproof mascara is involved) AND an anti-microbial cleanser like tea tree oil or hypochlorous acid.

A few small hygiene habits can protect not only your eyes, but also the fun and confidence that makeup is meant to enhance without the unwanted irritation.