Eva Asks: Is it okay to put eyeliner on the inner rim of your lower lid? that always seemed like a place not to put makeup to me, but makeup artists are always telling you to do it. Are there any dangers with this?
The Right Brain Righteously Replies:
Yes, applying eyeliner (or other eye makeup) inside your eyelids can be dangerous! Why? Because improper application of eye make up can damage the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye). An eyeliner wand can scratch the cornea and make it susceptible to infection from the bacteria that eye cosmetics can carry. Is it serious? Yes, we’re talking potential blindness here. Is it likely to happen? Maybe not, but do you really want to take that chance based on what your make up artist tells you?
For more details on the medical dangers of eye make up, click here.
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Dani Page Says:
I’m a professional makeup artist of 11 years and advise against applying eyeliner on the inside rim of your eye. There are carcinogens found in “kohl” eyeliners.
Carcinogen: Any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer.
thebeautybrains Says:
Thanks for your comments Dani. We here at the Beauty Brains don’t put much stock in people’s backgrounds. While it’s interesting that you are a professional makeup artist it doesn’t make you qualified to give judgments about whether ingredients are carcinogenic or not.
What are the “carcinogens” found in Kohl eyeliners? And where is your proof?
Fatima Says:
Indian or middle easter kohl liners do have lead in the contents, the use of this product can cause lead poisoning, ect. read any recent news report on the web about kohl or kajal liners and there you will find proof. So Dani was somewhat on the mark.
Left Brain Says:
Ok fatima, what’s your proof? What recent news report?
Geri Says:
Your website is doing a great dis-service to the public. There ARE carcinogenic and other potentially harmful ingredients in shampoos, lotions, toothpaste and most definitely in cosmetics.
Star Says:
I’ve tried lining the inner rims of my eyes and it looks very sultry for about ten minutes and then it all comes off and migrates into my tear duct area — YUCK!!! Yes, I’ve tried all the techniques that promise it will stay put and the products that swear it last until the end of time (okay, a little exagerration), but is the ten minutes of sultry worth it looking disgusting in my tear ducts and how dangerous is it just sitting there!!!??? I’m personally sick of cosmetic companies promising results and safety and then just blatantly commit false advertising!!!
Lucy Says:
Well, as far as I know there are not cases of lead intoxication from kohl in the USA; for certainly are in Middle East, Africa and Asia. Specially of children born with high levels of lead because they mothers use these cosmetics. I’m providing some links to medical journals.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0091-6765(199108)94%3C121%3AKALEMF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-G
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1506164&dopt=Citation
http://www.springerlink.com/content/n1j52624r36r7467/
PS. I know this is a really old post, I can’t stop myself. Great job BTW
Sarah Says:
there may in fact be carcinogens in cosmetics and such, but all they are asking for is PROOF. we dont need fear-mongers spreading rumors, we need people with facts.
Dr. Z. A. Mahmood Says:
I would like add few lines about the scientific basis of Kohl (Surma) apart from its religious point of view. The history and scientific studies so far done, indicate that the major constituent of Kohl is Galena, i.e., lead sulphide an inorganic form lead which is practically insoluble in aqueous (water) phase. I have gone through a number of such studies where Kohl is applied to both animal (rabbits) and human eyes regularly for about three months, but no difference in blood lead level was noted between pre and post application of Kohl. Confirming that lead present in Kohl can not be absorbed through transcorneal route. So there is no question of lead poisoning with the application of Kohl (Surma). Out of several reference, I would like to quote one reference here under the heading of ” Features of Poisoning”
The sub-headings 5.1.4 Ocular (Inorganic Lead)
Authors, Grainne Cullen, Alison Dines & Stoyko Kolev
” Lead sulphide (from the eye cosmetic surma) has caused minute conjunctival abrasions but no toxic injury to the eye ” - Statement released by the National Poisons Information Services (London Centre), Medical Toxicology Unit, Guy’s & St Thomas Hospital Trust, London - Monograph For UKPID - Lead (UK PID) page # 15 (March 1996).
In my opinion, even the minute conjuntival abrasion is not possible, if good quality Kohl (Surma) is used. Further, the dose which is applied into the eyes at one time is also very small and if quantified, it will be in microgram, irrespective of the high content of Galena (Lead sulphide) present in the whole container. I would urge here not to link the misuse Kohl (Surma) with it’s toxicity cause. Even misuse of water can lead to death. Thus based on this we can not stop using or storing water in our house.
Scientifically, I would classify the action and properties of Kohl into three different directions or categories:
1. Adsorptive - which is surface phenomena. Thus helps in cleaning the eyes from dust as well as other foreign matters invading the eyes.
2. Astringent - which is observed at the site of its application. Since Galena (Lead sulphide and the main constituent of Kohl) has an affinity for sulphur, therefore it combines with sulph-hydryl groups of the membrane and produces a local action due precipitation of proteins in a very low concentration.
3. Anti-infective - this property is due to the coagulation of specific inhibitory action of Galena with vital enzyme system of the cell. this phenomena is known as Oligodynamic Action.
Despite all these facts, however, surprisingly it has been stated by certain school of thoughts due to unknown reasons that Kohl (Surma) is or might be injurious to health due to the absorption of lead from eyes.
I have incorporated enough matter on the subject which can help a common man & women to understand the situation. Kohl (Surma) does not absorb through transcorneal route as it is practically insoluble in aqueous medium of the eye. Further, the alkaline nature of lachrymal restricts it’s dissociation and the positive intra-occular pressure further prevents the absorption or penitration. Thus the so-called Lead Toxicity due to application of Kohl (Surma) is not possible.