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Cosmetics & Sclerals: Safe Sequence and Product Choices
Cosmetics & Sclerals: Safe Sequence and Product Choices
For many, the morning routine is a cherished ritual—an elegant dance of skincare, color, and confidence. But for those who wear scleral lenses, that dance becomes a choreography where timing and product selection matter more than ever. At OC Optometry Group, we’re here to bring a dash of charm and a pinch of clarity to the delightful (and sometimes confusing) intersection of beauty and eye health.
The Golden Rule: Lenses First, Glamour Second
Think of your scleral lenses as VIP guests. They must enter the party before anyone else—certainly before powders, creams, liners, or shadows make their grand appearance. Applying makeup first and inserting lenses afterward is a well-known recipe for cosmetic debris sneaking beneath the lens, clouding vision, and stirring up irritation.
In short:
Sclerals first. Mascara later. Always.
Once your lenses are comfortably in place, the rest of your beauty routine may commence with all the flourish you desire. This sequence ensures that cosmetics land on the skin where they belong—not on your lenses where they absolutely do not.
Choosing Friendlier Formulas
Not all cosmetics are created equal, especially when your eyes are intimately involved. Certain ingredients, no matter how glamorous their promises, simply don’t play well with scleral lenses.
Here’s the elegant cheat-sheet:
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Opt for oil-free, water-based products. Oils migrate—and they love attaching themselves to scleral lenses like overly clingy acquaintances.
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Avoid loose powders around the eyes. These delightful pixie-dust particles are notorious for drifting into the lens edges.
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Pick ophthalmologist-tested mascaras and eyeliners. They’re less flaky and far more lens-friendly.
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Skip tightlining. Yes, lining the waterline may give a dramatic look, but it also invites pigments directly into the tear film—your scleral lens’ front-row view.
Gel eyeliners, cream shadows, and tubing mascaras often behave best around scleral lenses.
Evening Routine: A Gentle Goodbye
When the day winds down and the makeup begins its dramatic curtain call, the removal sequence is just as important.
The golden nightly mantra is:
Lenses out first. Makeup off second.
Removing makeup with lenses still in place risks trapping residue under or around the lens, and nothing says “uncomfortable evening” quite like a stubborn speck of eyeliner under a scleral.
Use gentle, oil-free removers or micellar water to dissolve cosmetics without leaving greasy residues behind. Your lenses—and your eyelids—will thank you.
A Word About Lash Enhancers and Scleral Wearers
Many patients love a good lash serum, and who can blame them? But not all serums are equally gentle. Some contain prostaglandin analogs, which can cause irritation or eyelid darkening. If you’re using a lash serum, let us know—we’ll help you choose options that won’t interfere with scleral wear.
Why This Matters
Scleral lenses are life-changing. They bring crisp vision, comfort, and relief to those with dry eye, keratoconus, and other corneal conditions. Protecting them—and your eyes—from cosmetic contamination helps maintain clear vision all day long.
At OC Optometry Group, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between beautiful vision and feeling beautifully yourself. With the right practices and products, you can enjoy both.
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