Everyday we are assaulted by harmful invisible toxins, from atmospheric pollution to food toxicity, our bodies are at war. Especially our eyes. Now yow you can consciously protect them with the new breed of optocosmetics, Èyes Are The Story.
Uniquely created for sensitive eyes, contact lens users and sufferers of dry eyes, Èyes Are The Story blacklists toxic ingredients found in mainstream cosmetics and skincare, many of which are listed below:
1. Argirilene (Acetyl hexapeptide-3 or Acetyl hexapeptide-8)
Designed to cause a temporary paralysis of the superficial facial muscles and has been associated with ocular surface disease through impact upon blinking
2. Benzalkonium chloride (BAK)
Known to cause damage to conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells, resulting in signs and symptoms of ocular surface disease (OSD) including ocular surface staining, increased tear break-up time, and higher OSD symptom scores.
3. Carbon black
Commercial carbon black, in particular, has organic contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been identified as human carcinogens (a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue).
4. Chlorphenesin
This prevents the growth of microorganisms and prolongs the life of a cosmetic, toxic to human meibomian gland epithelial cells.
5. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors (Quaternium 15, ureas, DMDM hydantoin)
Causes dose-dependent changes in the size, shape and production of human meibomian gland, corneal and conjunctivital epithelial cells.
6. Isopropyl cloprostenate (analogue of prostaglandins such as bimatoprost)
Reported side effects include; conjunctival hyperaemia, punctate keratitis, eyelid erythema, eyelid pruritus (itching), eye pruritus, skin hyperpigmentation, nasopharyngitis and ocular discharge.
7. Parabens
Methylparaben and ethylparaben are the most commonly used parabens, they have been found to be toxic to human meibomian gland epithelial cells.
8. Phenoxyethanol
Found to be toxic to human meibomian gland epithelial cells.
9. Retinols
Two derivatives (retinoic acid and retinyl palmitate) should be avoided in cosmetics while retinol itself should not be used at high doses. Retinoic acid induces cell death, and significantly altered the expression of 6726 genes, including those involved in cell production increase, cell death, differentiation and inflammation, in human meibomian gland epithelial cells.
10. Terpinen-4-ol (or most effective ingredient of tea tree oil)
Has been found to be toxic to in vitro human meibomian gland epithelial cells even in low concentrations.
References: